Ships keeping an eye out for boats of illegal immigrants

PALMA
THE Mediterranean Shipping Association has alerted all of its vessels on routes to the south of the Balearics to keep their eyes open for boats of illegal immigrants trying to reach the islands from North Africa after three alleged illegal immigrants were plucked to safety 95 miles south of Majorca on Monday.

Shipping experts explained that January is always a popular month for people smugglers because the sea between the Balearics, southern Spain and North Africa is traditionally calm. However, the unsettled maritime conditions this week are thought to have complicated things for the three immigrants who were spotted adrift on Monday.

The Shipping Association has also warned its members that there may have been more people in the stricken boat. ¡