Migrant who tried to cross the Med on an inner tube …
EIGHT miles from land, he could be mistaken for a tourist who has ventured too far out to sea on an inflatable rubber ring.
But this is a migrant, using the inner tube from a lorry tyre to keep himself afloat in a desperate attempt to cross the Strait of Gibraltar.
The young African, wearing shorts and a thin jumper, was spotted by the crew of a ferry off the Spanish coast on Tuesday afternoon. Coastguards who rescued him believe he is from Morocco, although he has refused to co-operate with authorities.
He spent about two hours in the water and showed no signs of hypothermia. The Strait of Gibraltar separating Spain from Morocco is only nine miles wide but notoriously strong currents make it a 25-mile journey for migrants – across a busy shipping channel.
Coastguard Jose Maraver said: It’s not the first time we’ve seen people trying to cross to Spain on a lorry tyre but it’s not that common.
‘He would have drifted further if he hadn’t been spotted and would never have made it to dry land without help. He was lucky the ferry didn’t go over him. He would have been very low in the water and difficult to see. The area he was in is very dangerous.
‘Most of the migrants we pick up don’t like to say too much because they want to avoid being sent back to their home countries.’
Migrants often use pateras – rickety wooden boats – for the crossing but have also used kayaks and pedalos.
Five migrants died trying to cross the Mediterranean on Wednesday night. Spanish coastguards rescued 54 others. Bad weather hindered the search for two more boats.
So far this year, more than 3,700 migrants have arrived in Spain. Some 180 have died in the attempt.