Twenty-five Africans, including five women and five children, were rescued from a sinking boat off the coast of southern Spain on Aug. 25. The survivors said that at least 35 others died at sea due to starvation, dehydration or exposure. In order to keep the boat from sinking, the dead were thrown overboard.
At least 3,000 African immigrants have died over the last few years trying to reach Spain by boat. In 2007 alone, at least 921 people died trying to complete the dangerous journey.
Rising hunger and poverty force workers to embark on dangerous journeys to find work in more prosperous countries. Anti-immigration legislation ensures that the majority of those rescued on their way to Spain are detained and deported. Those who complete the trip end up jobless or doing low-income work.
