An abandoned migrant boat has been discovered on the dog beach at Orihuela Costa, in the north of the municipality’s coastline near Torrevieja. The Guardia Civil found the vessel at 6.25am on Monday, but no occupants were at the scene. Officers reported that clothes, bags and other personal items had been left on board.

The beach, located between Cala Mosca and Playa Flamenca, is the only one in Orihuela authorised for dogs. It is popular with residents and visitors for walking, exercising and swimming with their pets.

The discovery follows a major operation by the National Police and Guardia Civil, working with Europol and the French National Police. The investigation, known as Operation Barón-Galón, has led to seven arrests — six in Alicante and Santa Pola, and one in Marseille.

Police say the group allegedly used so-called “pateras taxi”, high-powered semi-rigid boats, to transport migrants to the coasts of Alicante, Murcia and Almería. The suspects, men aged between 25 and 40 of Algerian and Libyan nationality, are accused of offences including facilitating illegal immigration, membership of a criminal organisation and smuggling.