Spain saves over 500 migrants at sea over weekend
Spain's maritime rescue service said Sunday it had rescued 532 migrants who were attempting the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea from north Africa this weekend.
Rescue boats intercepted 239 migrants travelling in eight small boats off Spain's southern coast on Sunday, a day after 293 migrants were pulled from nine vessels.
Three of the boats sank on Sunday right after the migrants were plucked from them due to their "poor state", the maritime service said in a Twitter message.
Tras búsqueda nocturna #patera #Alboran Sasemar 101/helimer 204 localizan y 2 +. Buque SAR Mastelero rescata sucesivamente 33+36 #personas 2 pateras, llega 21:00h #Almeria. Guardamar Calíope rescata 55 y llega 15:30h #Motril Tras rescate, las 3 pateras en mal estado se hundieron. pic.twitter.com/0h6PtU6vkx
— SALVAMENTO MARÍTIMO (@salvamentogob) May 27, 2018
Favourable weather in the Strait of Gibraltar appears to have sparked the surge in sea crossings.
Each year, tens of thousands attempt to reach Spain and other southern European countries by crossing the Mediterranean in smuggler boats.
Most of the vessels are unfit for open water and thousands of migrants drown each year.
Spain is the third busiest gateway for migrants arriving in Europe, still far behind Italy but catching up fast with Greece.
La Salvamar Arcturus nos acaba de enviar esta foto. Se trata de 17 personas rescatadas de 3 pateras en El Estrecho. Nuestras unidades se movilizaron a las 4.30h
Ahora, el helicóptero Helimer 220, la Guardamar Concepción Arenal y la Salvamar Gadir continúan buscando otras pateras pic.twitter.com/MjjqCr5jqA
— SALVAMENTO MARÍTIMO (@salvamentogob) May 28, 2018
Many Africans undertaking the long route to Europe are choosing to avoid crossing danger-ridden Libya to get to Italy along the so-called central Mediterranean route, choosing instead to try via Morocco and Spain.
According to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 22,400 people arrived in Spain by sea last year, nearly triple the number for 2016. Some 223 people died along the way.
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Rescue boats intercepted 239 migrants travelling in eight small boats off Spain's southern coast on Sunday, a day after 293 migrants were pulled from nine vessels.
Three of the boats sank on Sunday right after the migrants were plucked from them due to their "poor state", the maritime service said in a Twitter message.
Tras búsqueda nocturna #patera #Alboran Sasemar 101/helimer 204 localizan y 2 +. Buque SAR Mastelero rescata sucesivamente 33+36 #personas 2 pateras, llega 21:00h #Almeria. Guardamar Calíope rescata 55 y llega 15:30h #Motril Tras rescate, las 3 pateras en mal estado se hundieron. pic.twitter.com/0h6PtU6vkx
— SALVAMENTO MARÍTIMO (@salvamentogob) May 27, 2018
Favourable weather in the Strait of Gibraltar appears to have sparked the surge in sea crossings.
Each year, tens of thousands attempt to reach Spain and other southern European countries by crossing the Mediterranean in smuggler boats.
Most of the vessels are unfit for open water and thousands of migrants drown each year.
Spain is the third busiest gateway for migrants arriving in Europe, still far behind Italy but catching up fast with Greece.
La Salvamar Arcturus nos acaba de enviar esta foto. Se trata de 17 personas rescatadas de 3 pateras en El Estrecho. Nuestras unidades se movilizaron a las 4.30h
— SALVAMENTO MARÍTIMO (@salvamentogob) May 28, 2018
Ahora, el helicóptero Helimer 220, la Guardamar Concepción Arenal y la Salvamar Gadir continúan buscando otras pateras pic.twitter.com/MjjqCr5jqA
Many Africans undertaking the long route to Europe are choosing to avoid crossing danger-ridden Libya to get to Italy along the so-called central Mediterranean route, choosing instead to try via Morocco and Spain.
According to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 22,400 people arrived in Spain by sea last year, nearly triple the number for 2016. Some 223 people died along the way.
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