Boy drowns in Melilla in attempts to stowaway

A BOY of 15 from Morocco has drowned after trying to stowaway on a ship in the port of Melilla. The body was found in the port on Saturday 12 in the North African enclave of Melilla. 

The youngster was trying to board a docked boat in the port to attempt to reach mainland Spain. Several other people along with the boy all jumped into the water to reach the boat. When the boy got into trouble the other swimmers alerted the police. 

A specialist diving unit of the Guardia Civil, searched the area for 45 minutes and finally retrieved the body at around 9pm. Melilla´s regional government has called on Spain to insist that Morocco takes back children who arrive illegally into Spain. 

The regional president of Melilla Juan José Imbroda said: “Let’s see if Morocco will accept its minors,” 

He added that one of Melilla´s councillors will be heading to Madrid this week to meet with Secretary General for Immigration and Emigration, Maria del Corral.

This isn’t the first time immigrants have drowned in Melilla trying to cross the border. In December two bodies were found in similar circumstances.