Maritime Rescue and Guardia Civil patrols are searching the area around Cabo de Gata for a boat carrying a number of illegal immigrants after one of the passengers phoned to say they were rudderless and drifting.
The boat had set off from Orán in Algeria but got into trouble during stormy weather. The caller apparently reported that they could see a lighthouse, ships and city lights in the far distance.
Two Maritime Recsue boats, a Guardia Civil patrol boat and a helicopter are involved in the search.