Migrants missing off African coast

Spanish Marine Rescue units were searching for up to 50 migrants missing in seas south of the Canary Islands today after their boat capsized.

At least 48 other migrants were rescued, Spain’s Cadena SER radio said.

Two Marine Rescue craft had spotted the migrant boat late yesterday and were attempting to bring the migrants aboard when the boat capsized, the radio report said.

Some of those rescued told the service there had been about 100 people aboard the open wooden fishing boat.

The incident occurred 90 miles south of the Canary Island of Tenerife, close to the north-west coast of Africa.

More than 30,000 immigrants from Africa seeking a better life in Europe were intercepted while trying to reach the Canary Islands in crowded boats in 2006.

Several thousand others are believed to have drowned while attempting the journey.