Ten burly African men cram themselves onto a plastic children's toy dingy in a desperate attempt to sail across the Strait of Gibraltar and smuggle themselves into Europe.
The would-be illegal immigrants were rescued around six miles from the Spanish town of Tarifa by emergency services and members of the Red Cross.
Many of the men appeared to break down in tears as they were hauled aboard the rescue vessel and provided with blankets and water.
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| The boat was discovered six miles from the Spanish Town of Tarifa |
It is believed that the men are all from sub-Saharan Africa and were on the final stages of an epic journey which saw them cross the desert on their way to the Moroccan coast.
The Strait of Gibraltar separates Spain and Morocco by around nine miles - a ferry ride between the two continents takes roughly 35 minutes.
Due to its location it is one of the key smuggling routes for illegal immigrants crossing into Europe.
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| Members of the Red Cross pull up alongside the migrants boat and prepare to haul them aboard |
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| One of the rescued Africans struggles to contain his tears as contemplates his lucky escape |
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Now safely aboard the Red Cross boat, the look of relief on the migrants; faces is plain to see whilst one refuses to let go of his trusty yellow dingy |
