ALGIERS: The coast guards rescued during the night 33 Algerians who were trying to illegally emigrate to Europe and retrieved one body off the coast of Mostaganem, a security source said Monday.
The illegal immigrants took off in two fishing boats, the source said, according to APS news agency, which reported that one of the boats capsized after being struck by a big wave in the middle of a stormy sea.
The group appeared in court for attempted illegal immigration.
Those found guilty are punishable by six months in prison under a law passed in 2009 which also punishes traffickers with sentences up to 20 years in jail.