Suspicious dugout discovered in Cape Verde

The maritime authorities of Cape Verde are investigating the discovery of an empty dugout in north-west of the island of Santo Antao. The dugout, which is more than 15 meters long and has an engine without propeller was found last Friday by a fishing vessel, Mr Antonio Reis, an official of Santo Antao, said. He said the authorities of the port of Barlavento had started investigations into the case. In the last several years, several boats carrying illegal immigrants seeking to reach the Canary islands, as a step towards illegally entering Europe, passed by Cape Verde. Those who are arrested are returned to their countries of origin.