Spain rescues nearly 1,000 migrants from the sea in two days

Over 1,500 people have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Migration into Europe is down sharply from previous years but the topic has become very political.

Migrants rest onboard Spain's Arcturus Maritime Rescue Service boat at the port of Tarifa. (Photo | AP)

MADRID: Spain's maritime rescue service says it has saved nearly 1,000 migrants attempting the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean to Europe from North Africa over the last two days.

The service says it pulled 206 people from 10 different boats this morning, after rescuing 774 migrants travelling in 52 boats yesterday.

As a crackdown by Libyan authorities has made it more difficult for migrants to reach Italy, many are attempting the trip from Algeria and Morocco into Spain, where over 20,000 have already arrived by sea in 2018.

Migrants rest at the port of Tarifa, southern Spain, as they wait to be moved after being rescued by Spain's Maritime Rescue Service in the Strait of Gibraltar.
(Photo | AP)

Human trafficking mafias pack the migrants into small craft unfit for open waters.

Over 1,500 people have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Migration into Europe is down sharply from previous years but the topic has become very political.