More than 20 Rescued from Boats off the Coast

The Maritime Rescue Service, supported by the Cruz Roja, have rescued at least 22 people who were travelling in boats off the coast of Torrevieja, intending to reach Spain from Africa.

At least 4 of the people rescued are women, plucked from two boats by the Salvamar Mirfak rescue boat, before being transferred to Torrevieja where they will receive humanitarian help from the Cruz Roja.

According to the medical staff on the scene, many of those rescued were displaying symptoms of hypothermia and had to be treated for the condition.

The boats were initially spotted at around 8:30 this morning by a fishing boat, who alerted the authorities of their presence, some 30 miles south of Torrevieja.