Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The Guardia Civil intercepted a small boat carrying four adult migrants in the Strait of Gibraltar on Sunday morning after it was found almost submerged in the water.
Officers from the maritime service reached the vessel before it went under completely, according to the official account relayed by the agency. The boat was in poor condition and was carrying too much weight for its size, leaving it riding dangerously low in the water.
The migrants were trying to reach the Spanish mainland irregularly, with the route understood to be one used to bring people towards the coasts of Cádiz or Málaga. Police sources said the crossing took place in an area of strong currents and heavy maritime traffic, which made the situation more dangerous.
Patrols stepped in during reinforced surveillance
The interception happened during a reinforced surveillance operation in the Strait, launched after the large-scale entry into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Since then, the Guardia Civil says it has detected more small craft attempting to approach the coast.
According to the sources cited, the patrol was able to spot the suspicious boat in time and intervene before the occupants were lost to the sea. All four people on board were adults.
The incident adds to the pressure on the Guardia Civil’s maritime units in the Strait, where officers regularly face crossings involving fragile, overloaded or inflatable craft. In this case, the boat was already taking on water when it was reached.
Similar incidents have continued to be reported in the area, with authorities warning that smugglers are using increasingly risky methods to move migrants across the Strait.
