27 Moroccan nationals missing in the Gibraltar strait

A pneumatic raft bearing 27 Moroccan nationals who tried to stow their way into Spain, reported drifting in the Gibraltar Strait Friday, could not be located up to Monday morning despite intensive research operation in the area. At midnight on Friday after a cell phone call of distress, Spanish rescue boats, choppers and reconnaissance planes took-off to comb the area located between the Strait and the Al Boran Sea, halfway between the Moroccan city of Mellilia and Almeria in Spain.

Attempts to reach the cell phone failed and fishing trawlers operating in the area reported no drifting raft, said Spanish authorities.