On Friday the 5th, Spanish coast guards rescued 29 immigrants 23 nautical miles off Cabo de Gata, Almeria. Amongst the 29 immigrants (17 men and nine women) rescued were three pregnant women

However, the immigrants told how 23 companions had been been lost overboard during rough weather. Amongst those swept overboard were eight babies and their mothers.

The air-sea rescue search continues today using maritime rescue ship, SAR Mastelero, maritime rescue helicopter Helimer 211 and even a Spanish Navy vessel.

Spanish emergency services were alerted by a NGO in North Africa at 07.35h Friday to say that a crowded open boat had set sail at 20.00h on Wednesday night.

(News: Cabo de Gata, Almeria, Andalucia)