Spanish coastguards Tuesday morning detained a fishing boat with 229 Africans on board, which allegedly tried to reach the country's Canary Island, Naval spokesman said on Tuesday.
All the 229 people on board were male including at least 20 minors, said Naval spokesman.
The ship, with the largest group of illegal immigrants ever intercepted off the Spanish archipelago, was seen on Monday afternoon some 100 km south of Great Canary. It arrived at the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife after midnight.
According to the Naval spokesman, some Africans have received treatment from the Spanish Red Cross and five of them were taken to a hospital for dehydration and hypothermia.
Each year, thousands of Sub-Saharian Africans emigrate from their countries to Europe in the hope of seeking a better life, taking a long and risky trip.
According to Spanish Interior Ministry, the number of immigrants who reached the country between January and August registered 8 percent less compared with the previous corresponding period.
Source: Xinhua
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