Stemming the immigration wave

Europe has taken its fight to control the boatloads of African immigrants setting off for the Canary Islands to the coasts of western Africa.

Patrol boats, planes and helicopters from Spain, Italy, Portugal and Finland are operating off the shores of Mauritania, Senegal and Cape Verde in a bid to stop the immigration at source.

Operation Hera II is the first of its kind for the European agency Frontex, led by the Spanish Guardia Civil [Civil Guard].