Mauritania: 14 illegal migrants die in southern Mauritania

(SomaliNet) Police said a boat carrying the bodies of 13 would-be immigrants and 46 survivors was intercepted on Wednesday off Spain\'s Canary Islands after crossing from Africa.

Another body was retrieved from the sea, increasing the death toll to 14.

The daily El Mundo reported on its website that the migrants had run out of food and water during their sea journey of up to 12 days from southern Mauritania.

At least two of the survivors were hospitalized on Gran Canaria Island. The group included two women, but apparently no minors.

The boat was intercepted about four kilometres south of Gran Canaria after being spotted by a frontier vigilance service.

Hundreds of Africans are believed to die annually by drowning or from starvation and exposure when trying to reach Spain. - Sapa-dpa