ARCHIVED - 68 African migrants detained as they reached the Costa Cálida this weekend

16 people made it ashore in Águilas and Lorca while the rest were intercepted off the coast of Cartagena

It might be imagined that the onset of cooler weather in southern Spain would deter African migrants from undertaking perilous crossings of the Mediterranean in their efforts to enter EU territory, but over the weekend 68 were intercepted off the Costa Cálida as another wave of tiny boats headed for the shore.

The eight boats were intercepted off the coastlines of the municipalities of Cartagena (6) and Águilas (2) and all of those on board were taken into custody by the Policía Nacional to be temporarily accommodated and while proceedings are initiated to repatriate them. The first was spotted by the Guardia Civil patrol boat Danubio VI on Friday afternoon 2 miles off Cabo de Palos and the same vessel intercepted two more on Saturday close to Monte de Cenizas. In Águilas, meanwhile, eight people were detained after they made it ashore at Playa Amarilla and another 8 reached Calnegre in the municipality of Lorca.

All 68 of the migrants are reported to be Algerian, all but one are male and after being attended to by Cruz Roja volunteers all have been found to be in good health.

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