30 migrants rescued from burning boat off Spain coast

A group of 30 migrants were rescued off the coast of Spain after their rubber speed boat caught fire forcing them to jump into the water.

The fire erupted at the back near the engine before spreading rapidly to the rest of the rubber boat.

The scene was captured by the Portuguese air force plane helping Frontex with maritime surveillance, which threw them a small lifeboat and notified Spanish coastguards.

The Spanish coastguards later dispatched a helicopter and several other rescue boats to the scene.

The migrants, whose nationalities were not disclosed, were finally taken safe and sound to the port of Motril in southern Spain.

Europe has seen some 1.6 million refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Africa and beyond reach its shores in 2014-2016.

Italy is the most affected country in Europe and has received more than 45,000 people arriving by boat from North Africa so far this year alone.