755 more sub-Saharan immigrants picked up from 78 boats off Tarifa coast

Good weather in August 2014 led to a large rise in the number of immigrants trying to reach Spain illegally across the Mediterranean in small inflatable boats from Africa.

On the 12 August 2014, for example, Spanish rescue services located at least 78 small migrant boats. 755 people, among them 95 women and 20 children, were rescued according to the Spanish coastguard.

On the same day, around 700 sub-Saharan immigrants attempted to cross the border fence from Morocco into the Spanish north African exclave of Melilla.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Around 2,000 African migrants attempt to jump Melilla border fence http://www.europeansources.info/record/around-2000-african-migrants-attempt-to-jump-melilla-border-fence/

The Guardian, 12.08.14: African migrants attempt sea crossing through strait of Gibraltar http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/12/afrian-migrants-sea-crossing-strait-gibraltar-spain

The Local.es, 13.08.14: Spain set for 'avalanche' of African immigrants http://www.thelocal.es/20140813/more-toy-boat-migrants-head-for-spain-africa-immigration

La Razón, 14.08.14: EU must finally firm up its borders (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE148584-EU-must-finally-firm-up-its-borders

El País, 13.08.14: Morocco admits “dysfunctions” led to huge influx of migrant boats to Spain http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/08/13/inenglish/1407927154_581984.html

El País, 18.08.14: The €4,000 shortcut across the Strait http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/08/18/inenglish/1408364652_006417.html

El País, 20.08.14: Frontex has turned migration into a business (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE149012-Frontex-has-turned-migration-into-a-business

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