Seven Migrant Boats Carrying 101 People Intercepted off Cartagena

Seven migrant boats, carrying a combined total of 101 people, were intercepted off the coast of Cartagena on Monday. The operation, a joint effort between the Guardia Civil, Maritime Rescue, and Customs Surveillance, involved seven vessels. The first two boats, each carrying 10 and 42 individuals respectively, were spotted by Spain’s Integrated External Surveillance System.

The remaining five boats, with 7, 11, 9, 12, and 10 people on board, were intercepted at sea between 10 and 15 nautical miles from Monte de las Cenizas. The migrants, comprising 83 adult men, 4 women, and 14 minors, were taken to Cartagena where they received aid from the Red Cross and were reported to be in good health. They were subsequently transferred to the custody of the National Police for immigration procedures.

The Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) has called for faster patrol boats and more modern maritime equipment in Murcia following the interceptions. The AUGC highlighted the slow deployment of the Río Cervera, a high-speed patrol boat currently out of service, and urged for the assignment of one of the upcoming HJ-type high-speed vessels to the region.

They also demanded the replacement of older boats and stronger maritime resources to enhance the detection and interception of migrant boats. Murcia's regional president Fernando López Miras echoed these concerns during a visit to Brussels, accusing the Spanish government of neglecting its responsibilities and criticizing the lack of official communication.