Fifteen Africans die at sea in fatal attempt to reach Spain

Fifteen African immigrants, including nine children, have died from heat exposure trying to reach Spain, by boat, from North Africa. Spanish coastguards rescued 35 people from the vessel off Spain’s southern coast near Almeria after five days at sea.

The survivors told authorities they had thrown the bodies of the dead children, aged between nine months and four years into the sea. They are yet to be recovered.

Thousands of Africans are thought to have died trying to reach Spain in recent times.

In response the Spanish government has tightened up its immigration rules and vowed to repatriate all those who arrive without visas.

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