The Moroccan authorities are continuing the search for survivors from a capsized boat, believed to be carrying illegal migrants to Europe.

Two people are known to have died when the boat capsized off the coast of Tangiers; twenty-six others are missing.

The fifteen-kilometre crossing between Morocco and Spain is a favourite route for illegal migrants to Europe and for Algerians fleeing the political violence.

News of the accident came at the close of an international conference on illegal migration being held in Tangiers, at which Moroccan officials said Europe's recent tightening of immigration procedures was forcing their nationals to seek illegal methods of entry.