MADRID: The Spanish and Moroccan Customs authorities intercepted a total of 36 sub-Saharan men as they attempted to cross the Straits of Gibraltar into Spain aboard on Thursday after the first of their four small boats was spotted at 36 illegal immigrants intercepted while crossing the Straits of Gibraltar6.30 in the morning.
The Helimer 218 helicopter and the Salvamar Alkaid rescue vessel were immediately sent to the area, and located the boat and its seven occupants 17 miles south-west of Tarifa in the province of Cádiz.
At the same time the maritime rescue services in Ceuta intercepted another boat, this one carrying 11 occupants, and the Moroccan authorities also intercepted two boats with identical numbers of people on board.