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| Bodies of 20 people pulled from the Mediterranean | Bodies of 20 people pulled from the Mediterranean |
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| Moroccan rescue services have recovered the bodies of about 20 migrants and refugees from the Mediterranean, a spokeswoman for the Spanish enclave of Melilla has said. | Moroccan rescue services have recovered the bodies of about 20 migrants and refugees from the Mediterranean, a spokeswoman for the Spanish enclave of Melilla has said. |
| The bodies were spotted on Saturday by a Spanish ship, which alerted the rescue services of both Morocco and Spain, the spokeswoman said. | The bodies were spotted on Saturday by a Spanish ship, which alerted the rescue services of both Morocco and Spain, the spokeswoman said. |
| She added that about 20 bodies were then recovered in Moroccan territorial waters. Moroccan authorities have yet to issue a figure. | She added that about 20 bodies were then recovered in Moroccan territorial waters. Moroccan authorities have yet to issue a figure. |
| Late on Saturday, a Spanish police patrol boat found one more body, which was taken to Melilla, which borders Morocco. | Late on Saturday, a Spanish police patrol boat found one more body, which was taken to Melilla, which borders Morocco. |
| Migrants and refugees are increasingly favouring the so-called western Mediterranean route to reach Europe, which involves making the sea crossing between north Africa and southern mainland Spain. | Migrants and refugees are increasingly favouring the so-called western Mediterranean route to reach Europe, which involves making the sea crossing between north Africa and southern mainland Spain. |
| According to the International Organization for Migration, Spain has been the second most popular point of entry for refugees and migrants coming to Europe so far this year – with 1,279 arrivals – after Italy, with 4,256. | According to the International Organization for Migration, Spain has been the second most popular point of entry for refugees and migrants coming to Europe so far this year – with 1,279 arrivals – after Italy, with 4,256. |
| The IOM said 243 people have died or are missing in the Mediterranean after trying to cross the sea this year, not including those recovered this weekend. | The IOM said 243 people have died or are missing in the Mediterranean after trying to cross the sea this year, not including those recovered this weekend. |
| Spain was last year the third point of entry for Europe-bound refugees and migrants, after Italy and Greece. Arrivals by sea tripled in 2017 compared with the previous year, reaching a total of 22,900, according to the EU border agency Frontex. | Spain was last year the third point of entry for Europe-bound refugees and migrants, after Italy and Greece. Arrivals by sea tripled in 2017 compared with the previous year, reaching a total of 22,900, according to the EU border agency Frontex. |