Several European countries with Mediterranean coastlines are once again experiencing a wave of illegal immigration. In the last 48 hours, more than 800 people from northwest Africa have landed in Spain and Italy alone. Many of those who make the long and dangerous journey are in poor shape and in need of medical attention.
One boat which landed on Spain's Canary Islands included two children among the 70 migrants. For locals, the sight of hundreds of exhausted people turning up is once again pushing the issue to the top of voters' concerns. As Spain prepares to hold a round of regional elections later this month, there are fears that this latest influx is the start of a much bigger problem.

Last year, the Canaries had to deal with more than 30,000 illegal migrants. Since then the central government has improved ties with several of the African countries involved and migrants are now more likely to be sent back home.

PHOTO CAPTION

A boat with would-be illegal immigrants arrive at the port of Los Cristianos on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, 12 May 2007. (AFP)