Fourteen illegal immigrants die on way to Spain

13 June 2005

MADRID – At least 14 illegal immigrants died on Monday as they tried to reach Spain.

Among the victims were six children aged less than two-and-a-half years as well as six women.

The immigrants died in an inflatable boat seven metres long, just 20km off the coast of Tangier in Morocco, where they had boarded.

Moroccan authorities said a further 91 people, who were trying to smuggle to Spain, survived the accident.

The cause of the disaster is still unknown, but could be linked to strong wind.

Four agents working for the Moroccan Auxiliary Forces have been arrested, suspected of taking up to EUR 9,000 to allow the boat to leave the Tangier shore.

The authorities said they could still not rule out that there were more victims.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news