Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MADRID (AP) — Spain's Marine Rescue service says it has suspended the search for more than 20 migrants believed missing since an inflatable boat they had been traveling in from Africa to Europe ran out of fuel and was buffeted by stormy weather.
The service rescued 28 African migrants from the 33-foot-long (10-meter-long) boat after finding it drifting Friday in the Mediterranean Sea off southern Spain.
The search was triggered after those aboard gave testimony of how 23 others — including several babies — had been swept away to sea.
The service said Monday it had suspended the search after deploying several vessels for three days and finding no trace of the missing.
Migrants seeking a better life often try to reach Spain by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Morocco in small boats.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
