1,100 Africans caught in record bid to reach Spain

Published on 04/09/2006 00:24

SPANISH police caught more than 1,100 Africans trying to reach the Canary Islands this weekend, a new record.

At least 12 boats carrying 1,196 people reached the islands, Civil Guard officials said. All the migrants, including children, were in good health.

Some 674 Africans arrived on Saturday in eight boats and 522 reached shore in five boats yesterday. More than 20,000 Africans have been intercepted so far this year in the archipelago. The number for last month alone exceeds that for all of 2005, officials said.

Spain has now asked the European Union, the United Nations and the international community for help in tackling the situation.