According to two survivors who were arrested by Spanish authorities, their group of 15 immigrants were trying to reach the island of Fuerteventura, 60 miles off the Moroccan shore, when their boat capsized.

Coast guard spokesman Victor Bolanos said three bodies were found floating close to the shore on Sunday, and another four discovered on Monday further out to sea.

The search for the other immigrants is likely to continue for another two days.

Arrests

The survivors, who were arrested on the beach early Sunday, said that the group was made up of Moroccans and people from other North African countries.

So far this year, some 300 illegal immigrants from North Africa have been detained in the island, 40 during the past week, according to the state-owned news agency Efe.

Each year, thousands of North Africans fleeing poverty and war attempt the perilous trip in flimsy boats to mainland Spain or the Spanish islands.

Many are believed to drown either crossing the Straits of Gibraltar or the Atlantic.