VALLETTA, September 3, 2008 (AFP) - At least five illegal immigrants drowned while 85 were rescued off a rubber dinghy nearly 100 miles to the south of Malta, the army said Wednesday.

Those rescued included a nine-month-old baby and 13 women, the army said.

The tanker Johann Schulte was diverted to go the aid of the immigrants, who were without life-jackets, the army said.

The tanker provided the immigrants with food and water before they were transferred to an army patrol boat, which was expected to dock in Malta later Wednesday.

Observers say illegal immigrants from Libya are arriving now on large rubber dinghies able to take up to 80 people, rather than small fibreglass boats with a capacity of 20 persons as in the past.

The Mediterranean island, the EU's smallest state, this year was hit by a larger influx of illegal immigrants than usual. The latest official count put the figure at 2,289 immigrants on 74 boats between January and August, as compared to 1,379 for the same period last year.