Nine children between one and four years old were among the fourteen who lost their lives in the latest immigration tragedy to affect Spain. The story unfolded when a 6 metre semi-inflatable with 33 people on board was spotted in the sea some 25 miles off the coast and a rescue operation was initiated involving boats and a helicopter from the Guardia Civil and Salvamento Maritmo. The survivors were taken to Almeria capital where they were received by Red Cross Volunteers and told their rescuers of the others who started the trip with them and whose bodies they had thrown over the side of the boat.
The boat, with 47 passengers on board from Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria and Cameroon, left the Moroccan coast powered by a 25 horsepower off board motor but before sighting land the motor broke down leaving them adrift without food or water. In the seven days before they were rescued the children were the first to die, although one baby did survive.
Six of the survivors were taken to local hospitals where they were treated and the others were accommodated in the special facilities built for holding illegal immigrants in the Port of Almeria. The repatriation process has been started for the survivors
Only four days earlier another fourteen immigrants died when the boat they were attempting to reach Spain in overturned in waters off Motril in Granada.
According to the Pro Derechos Humanos human rights organisation 230 immigrants have lost their lives this year attempting to reach Spanish coasts.
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