Sixteen Immigrants Die as Boat Capsizes off Canaries
- Author: Euro News
- Publish date:17/01/2004
- Section:WORLD HEADLINES
At least 16 people have drowned in the latest tragedy involving illegal immigrants trying to start a new life in Europe.
Disaster struck off Fuerteventura, one of Spain's Canary islands, off the west coast of Morocco.
A boat carrying the migrants from Africa capsized on a reef as it was nearing the beach, tipping its occupants into the sea.
Nine survivors were taken for questioning by police. Officials have not ruled out that others may have died.
Thousands of people, mainly Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans, try to enter Spain illegally every year.
Many risk their lives in fragile, overcrowded boats.
Most of those attempting the crossing to the Canary Islands don't know how to swim.
It is estimated that up to 4,000 have died in recent years.
**PHOTO CAPTION***
A boat used by immigrants is towed by an Italian police ship. At least 21 people have been found dead aboard an inflatable boat carrying Albanian illegal immigrants across the Adriatic Sea to Italy, a NATO spokesman in Tirana said. (AFP/File/Franco Lannino)