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6 immigrants drowned, 4 missing as boat sinks close to Spanish enclave

Xinhua, January 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

Bad weather is thought to be the cause of a tragedy which saw six immigrants confirmed drowned and at least four missing after a boat sank 6 km off the coast of the Spanish enclave of Melilla on Friday.

Spanish media reported the boat had set sail from the north coast of Morocco with the aim of reaching the coast of Spain. Winds of up to 80 kmph are thought to have caused heavy waves and swamped the boat.

People smugglers in the region often ply in adverse weather conditions in the hope it will also complicate the work of Spanish and Moroccan maritime forces.

Authorities in Melilla report the boat was carrying 20 passengers, the majority from Guinea, and a crew of two. So far, 10 of them have been rescued and received treatment in the Hassani de Nador hospital in Morocco. Endit