47 Algerians missing in Mediterranean Sea

ALGIERS - At least 47 Algerian illegal immigrants who were travelling in two wooden boats to Italy went missing in the Mediterranean Sea, Xinhua reported Monday.

Algerian coast guards alerted their counterparts in the Italian islands of Sardinia and Cecily about the incident.

The immigrants, aged between 16 and 39, sailed from Annaba and Taref in eastern Algeria in two wooden boats, the Echorouk newspaper said, citing an unnamed security official. They hailed from various eastern provinces.

The relatives of the immigrants contacted the coast guards Sunday after they lost contact with the boats.

They sailed under difficult weather conditions amid high waves, the source added.

Algeria’s coast guards have deployed units to search for the immigrants in coordination with teams from Italy.

Hundreds of young Algerians risk their lives every year crossing the Mediterranean on fishing boats for jobs and better living conditions abroad.