Spain intercepts 50 'aliens'

2005-09-19 22:08

Fuerteventura - Spanish police on Monday intercepted two boatloads of would-be African immigrants carrying almost 50 people on Monday.

A first vessel had 11 Moroccans on board and the second was carrying 37 people from sub-Saharan Africa, maritime rescue authorities said at Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

Thousands of illegal immigrants a year try to make their way to Spain, usually via the Strait of Gibraltar but also via the Canary Islands, making perilous crossings in rickety boats called pateras. Each year, an undetermined number either drown or die from hypothermia.

In 2004, 15 675 illegal immigrants travelling on 740 boats were intercepted, according to official Spanish figures.

- SAPA