News
TWO IMMIGRANTS DIE OFF THE MURCIA COAST
Kevin Reardon / 2009-10-29 18:33:47
A search was mounted on Thursday by the Maritime rescue services after 4 immigrants were spotted in a zodiac type vessel drifting 66 miles south of Cartagena. The boat was seen by a French oil tanker which quickly alerted the coastguard who responded with search aircraft and a tug necessary to tow the boat in.
Reports indicate that the boat had probably lost its way while trying to reach the coast and the passengers had then become so desperate with thirst that they gave in to drinking water from the sea.
On reaching the vessel two immigrants were found to be dead whilst two others were in a serious condition suffering from the effects of dehydration and hypothermia.
On arriving in Cartagena by helicopter they were transferred by ambulance to hospital in Santa Maria del Rosell where the pair remain in a critical condition. They are believed to have set sail from Algeria.
The same French tanker later reported a second boat with as many as six passengers on board but despite searching late into the evening no further trace of the boat was found.
Tags: Immigration
Del.icio.us
Digg
Menéame
Technorati
Yahoo
Facebook
MSN Reporter
