41 immigrants rescued off Motril

FORTY-ONE sub-Saharan immigrants travelling in a dinghy have been rescued off the coast of Motril.

The migrants -36 men, six women and a four-year-old girl- were in good health, although some of them had minor hypothermia.

Two of the women were taken to the Motril Regional Hospital for a medical check-up as they were pregnant, sources at the Cruz Roja Red Cross) said.

The immigrants were rescued after the Maritime Safety Service and the Guardia Civil received a call from Morocco informing them of a dinghy that left the city of Al Hoceima in the early hours of the morning.

A ferry covering the Melilla-Malaga route eventually spotted the vessel 55 miles off the coast of Motril.

The rescue was difficult due to rough weather and waves of up to two metres high, sources said.