The Spanish and Moroccan authorities intercepted four small craft on Friday morning after receiving a number of calls from mobile phones with a Moroccan prefix alerting them to the fact that several groups of people were attempting to make unauthorised trips across the Strait of Gibraltar to mainland Spain.
A total of 62 people, including 4 babies, were intercepted and taken to Tangier and Tarifa. All were apparently in good health.
One boat carrying 32 passengers, including seven women and the 4 babies, was intercepted by the Maritime Rescue Service and three boats, with 13,7, and 10 people on board, were intercepted by Moroccan Gendarmes and subsequently transferred to Tangier.