Four Africans die near Canaries

The Africans risked a perilous crossing to reach Spain

Four Africans have been found dead in a small open boat packed with migrants, intercepted off the Canary Islands.

The Spanish authorities said the boat, carrying 26 other migrants, was escorted to a port on Tenerife.

Boats carrying almost 300 people have been intercepted off the Canary Islands in the past 24 hours, officials say.

The Spanish government says more than 11,000 Africans have made the perilous crossing to the Canaries this year - already double the total for 2005.

Spain and Malta are struggling to cope with an influx of migrants from Africa.

The European Union plans to launch maritime patrols around the Canaries and along the West African coast to help limit the flow of migrants.