A raft load of illegal immigrants were spotted off the coast of Almeria earlier in December .There were 23 Sub-Saharan Africans on the raft and they were taken by emergency services to the Red Cross depot where they were provided with hot drinks and warm clothing.They were all adults and appeared to be in good health.

It is possible that they had travelled from as far afield as Senegal.They begin these extremely hazardous journeys in open boats in the hope that there is a better life for them here in Europe.Sadly it rarely works out that way and many perish at sea.Those who do arrive are often caught and detained until they are returned to their country of origin.Those who manage to enter the country without being caught find themselves caught up in a way of life which is often worse than the one that they left.