Sub-Saharans rescued attempting to reach Spain

Following the rescue on Monday of 27 sub-Saharan illegal immigrants, yesterday, the Maritime Rescue service, the Guardia Civil and the Moroccan Gendarmes intercepted four small dinghies in the Strait of Gibraltar with a total of 23 sub-Saharans on board.

 A search began at 6.30am after the authorities received calls on mobile phones from the passengers themselves who were in the boats.

The first boat was spotted about four miles from Tarifa by the Red Cross Vessel ‘Hermes’ and the five male passengers were rescued.

 The second boat, with seven people on board, was located at 7.40am by the Maritime Rescue vessel ‘Salvamar Alkaid’ about seven miles off the coast of Tarifa.

 Two more dinghies were intercepted by Moroccan Gendarme patrol boats.

Today, three more dinghies carrying migrants have been intercepted by the Maritime Rescue service vessel, the Guardia Civil and the Cruz Roja. This time a total of 22 people were taken to the port of Tarifa in Cadiz province. A spokesman for the Cruz Roja said that the migrants were all in good health.

There have been 10 vessels or ‘pateras’ carrying 70 people this week so far.