According to the captain of the Southern Maritime Zone, there were at least 18 members of the Maritime Police, supported by four vessels and other means, trying to intercept the crew of the vessel, which has already been located. According to the same source, at 4.30pm the group of 28 migrants, allegedly from Morocco and including three women, was “in transit to the Faro commercial pier on board vessels of the Maritime Police and GNR.”

In a statement, the Maritime Authority said that the group also included a child, whose age was not specified, and that one of the three women was pregnant.

The other groups of migrants who have landed on the Algarve coast in recent months were composed exclusively of men.

Once ashore, the group took a bus to the Quarteira Logistical Support Base, where they underwent screening tests for Covid-19, and were then expected to be handed over to the Foreigners and Borders Service, Fernando Rocha Pacheco added.

The vessel on which the 28 migrants arrived on the island is about seven metres long and is similar to those used for the other five illegal landings registered in the region since December.

The landing was reported to the authorities via 112 by people on the beach on the island, which has no inhabitants and only a restaurant and beach support.

At least 18 members of the Maritime Police were on the scene, supported by four boats and other means.

Elements of the GNR Coastal Control Unit were also involved in the operation.

This is the sixth illegal landing on the Algarve coast involving migrants from North Africa.

The most recent case occurred in July, when a group of 21 men, allegedly Moroccans, landed on the island of Farol, also in the municipality of Faro.