Boat people rescued
Feeble launch hit a yacht off the coast of Altea on Tuesday
ELEVEN immigrants aged 26 to 41 were rescued by a sea rescue vessel after their feeble launch collided with a yacht 30 miles off the shores of Altea on Tuesday.
Salvamento Maritímo (sea rescue) received an emergency call at 04.30 from the 'Wilma' yacht that had collided with the launch - that was obviously sailed without any lights.
The Wilma crew informed that three of the 11 occupants of the launch had fallen into the water - one was rescued by Wilma crew and the other two managed to get back to the launch.
The Salvamar Mirfak sea rescue vessel was sent out from Alicante port and by 08.00 they had all 11 immigrants on board and were heading to Altea harbour. The assistance of a Salvamento Marítimo helicopter deployed to the scene was not needed.
A Guardia Civil coastguard patrol vessel also arrived on the scene and escorted the Salvamar Mirfak to Altea.
The immigrants were taken to Altea Guardia Civil station where they were attended to by Red Cross volunteers who provided them with blankets and food.
In addition to the Altea rescue, two other launches carrying around 20 people managed to reach the shores of Benidorm's Poniente beach without being detected.
Police mounted a search and located at least five of them at Alicante bus terminus where they were found with wet clothes in their rucksacks.