Updated Wednesday 1.40pm

An AFM patrol boat rescued 100 migrants from a boat 68 miles south of Malta early on Wednesday.

Two people had already died by the time rescuers reached the boat, which was taking in water and in imminent danger of sinking, the AFM said. The migrants were brought to Malta on Wednesday afternoon.

The announcement was made within minutes of the Maltese government reacting to a claim by Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini that Malta was not fulfilling its commitments to a migrants redistribution mechanism established by the Italian authorities.

The government said it had been in contact with the Italian authorities to fulfil its commitments as soon as possible.

Courage bravery & dedication is part of every day life for our men and women in uniform @Armed_Forces_MT

Malta ???????? is doing much more than its fair share. @MaltaGov needs to press harder for Europe to share responsibility as we cannot be left alone.https://t.co/YkWbW8o7C8 — Adrian Delia (@adriandeliapn) August 22, 2018

"Nevertheless, the Italian authorities have not provided any tangible procedure for Malta to follow."

The government also reversed the accusation and pointed its finger at its northern neighbour.

Italy, the Maltese government said, had not yet taken in migrants it had committed to host as part of a redistribution mechanism set up by Malta after the MV Lifeline was allowed to dock on June 27.

"Malta always participated in solidarity mechanisms and was the first European Union member state to fulfil its commitments with regard to the European Commission’s solidarity mechanism with respect to Italy and Greece.

"Furthermore, Malta always adheres to international laws and applicable conventions."

114 were picked up by a Maltese patrol boat on August 13 and 61 late last Sunday. A further 35 were picked up from a boat close to Malta a week ago.