Seven Algerian would-be immigrants were rescued Thursday by units of the Naval Forces north of Sidi-Lakdar in Mostaganem (355-km west of Algiers) while twelve others, including a French-Algerian, were arrested off Cap Figalo in Beni Saf (Ain Temouchent, 500-km west of Algiers), said Friday the Ministry of National Defence in a communiqué.
"Units of the Naval Forces of the People's National Army (ANP) of the 2nd Military Region conducted a rescue operation at sea north of Sidi Lakhdar in the province of Mostaganem on 18 August 2014 at 5.50 p.m., saving seven Algerian would-be immigrants," said the communiqué.
The rescued illegal would-be immigrants were floating on inner tubes after their small boat had overturned, the source explained.
The rescue operation is still underway to find the missing would-be immigrants, who are five according to the survivors, the source added.
"During another operation, a unit of the Naval Forces of Ghazaouat Coastguards in the 2nd Military Region arrested twelve (12) would-be immigrants, including 11 Algerians and one French-Algerian, off Cap Figalo in Beni Saf (Ain Temouchent) on Thursday at 5.00 a.m. All of them were handed to the National Gendarmerie," said the communiqué.