Spain rescues 319 migrants at sea, 18 more feared drowned

By ARITZ PARRA
Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — Emergency services on Spain’s Canary Islands say 319 people, including 59 women and 24 children, were rescued from seven different boats trying to reach the archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. A migrants aid group says at least 18 other migrants have died. Spanish rescue vessels reached the boats in different locations late Tuesday and early Wednesday. A Maritime Rescue Service spokeswoman said rescuers didn’t find any bodies on or near the boats. But Walking Borders, a non-governmental organization that is often contacted by people in distress or their relatives, said at least 18 people traveling on one of the boats had died. The journey from North Africa to the Canary Islands is a dangerous migration route into Europe.