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19 North African immigrants rescued off coast of Murcia
The tiny dinghy was spotted 22 miles from the coast of La Manga
Another 19 lives have been saved by the Maritime Rescue Service after a small inflatable dinghy carrying irregular immigrants was found floating off the coast of Murcia on Sunday May 26.
The tiny boat, known as a patera, was spotted by the crew of the vessel Aries IV. It was drifting around 22 miles out from La Manga in San Javier and Lo Pagán in San Pedro del Pinatar.
The ‘Salvamar Draco’ was sent out to locate the migrants and their patera was towed in to the port of Cartagena, where Red Cross volunteers were waiting to carry out health checks.
The National Police were also called in and they transferred all of the men to the Temporary Migrant Centre in Cartagena a short time later.
Good weather and calm sea conditions have resulted in an increased influx of migrants by sea in recent weeks. Last Thursday, the Guardia Civil intercepted another small patera carrying 17 immigrants close to Cabo Tiñoso in Cartagena.
Like this Sunday, the occupants, all adults and of North African origin, were travelling in an inflatable boat which was around six metres in length with horsepower of only 50.
Image: Salvamento Marítimo
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