Spain detains 500 African immigrants

The Spanish authorities have detained more than 500 illegal immigrants from Africa, in separate operations in the Straits of Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic.

Those held are mainly Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans.

More than 400 people were picked up in land and sea operations near the port of Tarifa, in southern Spain.

About 50 others were arrested when their rubber boats were intercepted at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.

And more than 20 were held on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canaries.

They are to be repatriated.

Officials say about 15,000 illegal immigrants from Africa tried to enter Spain last year, and that dozens drowned in the attempt.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service