A number of small patera’s landed approximately 70 illegal immigrants, all thought to be of Algerian origin, in the early hours of Wednesday morning off the Southern Costa Blanca and Costa Calida coastlines. It is thought that about 20 landed in Torrevieja and the Marina Alta, 9 of which were seen jumping overboard in an area of cliffs after crashing their boat. They were subsequently arrested in la playa del Moraig.
However 5 are known to have fled into Torrevieja after they landed their boat between the beaches of Los Locos and El Cura.
The first of the two boats arrived in Torrevieja with about nine immigrants on board, including four children aged between 11 and 17 years, at about 04.15 am. Security forces intercepted the children, although the adults ran off toward the town.
The deserted boat was constructed solely of wood. It was about 4 meters long and equipped with a 30 hp outboard motor.
The children were taken to the University Hospital of Torrevieja in where they were medically examined and provided with food. All were said to be in perfect health. After confirming that all were minors they were transferred to a centre for immigrants in Alicante.
Four hours later, at about 0830 hours, nine Algerian immigrants disembarked from a boat off the coast of Benitachell. They jumped into the but were intercepted by officers from the Javea Civil Guard and the Benitachell local police.
All those arrested are said to be between 25 and 40 years and in good health. They were transferred to a local detention centre as a preliminary step prior to their return to Algeria.
