28 illegal immigrants rescued off coast of Fuerteventura

28 illegal immigrants were rescued yesterday morning (24th August 2011) after the Guardia Civil were alerted by a resident in Tenerife who had received a phone call from a friend in El Aaiún who had been in contact with one of the occupants of the ‘patera’ via mobile phone. Up to a third of the occupants are thought to be minors. The ‘patera’ was found to be approximately two and a half miles off the coast of Fuerteventura. All the occupants are thought to be of North African origina and have been placed in custody of the National Police once they had been brought to shore via the port of Morro Jable in Pajara, Fuerteventura. The health of all the occupants was good, while some of them were showing sings of hypothermia. The ‘patera’ they were traveling in is thought ot have had either an engine failure or simply ran out of fuel.

(achive image)