Spanish Rescuers Recover Dead Baby, Save 520 Illegal Immigrants at Sea

A child is carried by a member of Spain's Maritime Rescue Service as they arrive at the port of San Roque, southern Spain, on Oct. 27, 2018. Marcos Moreno/AP

MADRID—Spain’s maritime rescue service says a baby has died despite efforts by rescuers to save it after a small boat carrying illegal immigrants sunk in the Mediterranean Sea. The death came as over 500 others were rescued.

The service says on Oct. 28, that the bottom of the rubber boat gave out, tossing 56 occupants into the water when its rescue craft reached it Saturday east of the Strait of Gibraltar. Rescue workers were able to save 55 men, women and children, but could not reanimate the baby.

Illegal immigrants arrive at the port of San Roque, southern Spain, after being rescued by Spain's Maritime Rescue Service in the Strait of Gibraltar, on Oct. 27, 2018. Marcos Moreno/AP

In all, Spanish rescue workers saved 520 people trying to cross from North Africa to Spain on Saturday. In addition, one boat with 70 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Over 1,960 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe this year.