Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain - A boat carrying would-be immigrants Friday crossed from Africa to the Canary Island of La Gomera with 55 passengers and four bodies on board, Spanish officials said. Three of the passengers were reported in poor health. The migrants from Guinea-Bissau said their boat had lost its way, and that they had run out of drinking water several days ago. Four men subsequently died. The survivors were taken to health centres.
The arrival followed the deaths of 15 Africans from thirst, hunger and sunburn during another crossing to the Spanish mainland.
Thirty-three survivors were rescued from that boat late Wednesday. The survivors said they had thrown overboard the bodies of 14 people, including nine young children. A 15th victim died while being taken to hospital.
Fourteen Nigerians also drowned when their boat capsized on Monday. At least 74 migrants have died while trying to reach Spain by sea this year.
