Eleven illegal immigrants are missing at sea after their boat was wrecked on Tuesday afternoon off the Almeria coast. Three people were rescued alive.
The wreck occurred at 17:30 about 18 miles east of Punta naranja near the town of Carboneras. A merchant vessel notified the authorities of the sinking.
Maritime rescue spotted four people in the water but were only able to rescue three. The survivors said that 14 people were on the boat when it left Algeria two days ago.
Several ships, planes and helicopters are involved in the search for more survivors.