A small boat carrying 24 migrants has arrived at La Fossa beach in Calp at around 8.30am. Those on board included a 12-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy and an elderly man aged between 75 and 80.

The group was initially taken to Guardia Civil facilities before being transferred to the Temporary Foreigners’ Centre (CATE) at the port of Alicante, where they were assisted by the Red Cross. Although all appeared to be in good health, the elderly man was taken to Doctor Balmis Hospital for further checks.

Once Red Cross assistance was completed, the migrants were placed in the care of the National Police. All are reported to be Algerian nationals, and all are male except for the 12-year-old girl.

Earlier, Maritime Rescue and the Guardia Civil had received an alert about a small boat possibly adrift more than 20 miles off Benidorm with engine trouble. The Valencia Rescue Coordination Centre deployed the Salvamar Leo and activated the Sasemar 308 aircraft, but the vessel later reached Calp under its own power after reportedly repairing the outboard engine.