Border Guards rescue 278 illegal African Migrants

Riyadh, May 19, SPA -- Saudi Border Guards' patrols in Jazan has
rescued 274 migrants from various African countries including women
and children after their boat "Al Zaeem-2" malfunctioned on
High-Seas.

A Media spokesman at the Border Guards' Department of Public
Affairs, Lieutenant Colonel, Salim Saleh Al Sulami said marine
patrols monitored at Jazan region a passenger boat closing-in Saudi
territorial waters with its 7 crew members including the owner
according to their identity papers.

It was found that the Boat had broken down at sea and suffered from
big waves and rough seas to the risk of near-drowning, but the wind
pushed it into the Saudi territorial waters.

After the illegal migrants were rescued and provided with food
assistance, the necessary actions were taken within the purview of
such cases where the illegal migrants are handed over to the
Department of Passports in Jazan Region and the Boat and its crew
members were sent to the concerned department at the Border Guards
for further investigation.

--SPA