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Over 750 sub-Saharan immigrants rescued off Spanish coast

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IANS Madrid

As many as 755 immigrants have been rescued Tuesday by Spain's maritime rescue services across the Strait of Gibraltar, which separate Spain from North Africa.

The sub-Saharan immigrants include 640 men and 95 women, Xinhua reported.

The immigrants, who were travelling in 79 inflatable dinghies, were taken to the Spanish port of Tarifa.

Subsequently, they will be handed over to the Red Cross.

The rescue comes just hours after the safe arrival of 300 immigrants Monday, making the past 48 hours the most intense periods in terms of sub-Saharan immigrants attempting to cross the Straits since 2006.

"We have never seen anything like this in one day. In the past it was always spread over several days," Communication head for the Red Cross, Miguel Garcia said.

 

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First Published: Aug 13 2014 | 3:50 AM IST

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