MADRID: The steady flow of would-be illegal immigrants attempting to cross from Morocco into Spanish territory continues, with a total of 19 being reported in three separate incidents on Wednesday.
Eleven of them were rescued from the Straits of Gibraltar during the morning after the small boat in which they were travelling capsized. After a tip-off call was received they were located three miles to the west of Cap Spartel on the north coast of Morocco near Tangiers, and two of those on board were taken immediately by helicopter to Jerez de la Frontera in the province of Cádiz, where they were treated for advanced hypothermia. The other nine were transferred by sea to Tarifa, where they also received medical treatment.
On Thursday morning the Marine Rescue Services were again called out to rescue 11 people who were attempting to cross the Straits of Gibraltar in a tiny inflatable which overturned. 2 were airlifted by the Helimar 211 and the remaining 9 people were brought in by the Salvamar Alkaid.