BOAT PEOPLE REACH BENITACHELL BEACH
Nine illegal immigrants jumped off the feeble boat that crashed on cliffs near Cala Moraig
EARLY bathers in Cala Moraig (Benitachell) witnessed the desperation of illegal immigrants trying to reach the shores of Spain on Tuesday morning.
At 08.30, a feeble seven-metre off-board-engined boat with nine Algerian immigrants on board was sighted off the beach. Its occupants jumped off the boat as its approached Cala dels Testos as it aimed for the cliffs, where it finally crashed and sank.
The nine people managed to reach the beach and tried to escape along the trail leading to Cala Moraig, but were intercepted by Benitachell Local Police officers and Guardia Civil from Jávea station.
A search was carried out around Cumbre del Sol in case any of the boat's occupants had managed to escape.
All those detained were Algerian nationals and over 18.
In accordance with Spanish immigration laws, the nine illegal immigrants were taken to Dénia court, before being transferred to an internment centre prior to their deportation back to Algeria.
Torrevieja landing
Guardia Civil had their hands full this week chasing scarpering migrants who arrived at a number of points along the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida.
The large number of small boats which managed to reach the coast suggested that they had cast off from a larger vessel on the high seas which could not be detected by the SIVE radar system.
The alert was sounded in Torrevieja at around 05.00 on Tuesday morning when 10 migrants landed at the Curva del Palangue, next to Playa de los Locos.
Councillor for beaches Javier Manzanares told Costa Blanca News that four minors were found at the rocky promontory, close to the boat (pictured) – and they were taken to hospital for health checks.
He reported that six adults had absconded and a Guardia Civil search had been launched.
At the same time, two boats with 23 migrants on board were intercepted off the coast of Cartagena.
The first vessel, with 11 people on board, was boarded by the coastguard at 04.43 and the occupants were taken to Cartagena harbour, where they received medical assistance.
At 07.15, also on Tuesday, a boat with 12 migrants on board was spotted off Cabo de Palos.
The coastguard towed the vessel to Cartagena, where the occupants were found to be in good health.
Then on Wednesday, lifeguards reported at midday that two boats had arrived at Calblanque beach, which lies inside the regional park behind La Manga golf resort.
The lifeguards told the Guardia Civil that 15 migrants had landed and taken off inland.
A search was then organised, with officers trawling the remote and rocky coastline to the north of Cartagena.
Boat people also reached the coast earlier in the week at La Manga (San Javier) and were detained by Guardia Civil.