Spain ends search for immigrants

The boat overturned on Thursday as a Spanish vessel drew near

Spanish maritime rescue services have called off the search for 50 African migrants missing after a boat capsized near the Canary Islands.

The boat was overturned by a wave on Thursday as a Spanish coast guard vessel drew near to it, about 150km (90 miles) south of Tenerife.

Forty-eight people were rescued and several bodies recovered.

The capsizing is believed to be one of the worst losses of life this year among Africans trying to reach the EU.

A Spanish spokesman said there was almost no chance of finding anyone else alive. Those on board were said to include people from Ghana, Guinea Bissau and Liberia.

Flights by maritime patrol aircraft were ended on Friday night. Searches by a tugboat and a patrol vessel were also called off on Saturday morning.

Spanish officials have said that in the incident off the Canaries rescuers tried to stabilise the vessel packed with migrants.

They began ushering those on board to safety, but during the operation the fishing boat capsized, plunging dozens of migrants into the sea.

In 2006 an estimated 30,000 immigrants were caught trying to reach the Canary Islands.

The vast majority sailed from west Africa in crowded open boats, many dying en route.

On Wednesday at least four people died when two fishing boats carrying migrants sank between Italy and Libya.

Italian coastguards said 36 people were rescued in the incident, some 64km (40 miles) from the tiny island of Lampedusa.

An EU agency, Frontex, has begun operations to help Spain, Italy and Malta intercept migrant boats, but EU officials say it needs more resources.