SSUENN 1555 //29 23 APRIL 2015 Sept- -29 5 Oct 2016 IISSUE OO . .1630
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COSTA DE ALMERÍA
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DON’T MISS OUR PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT INSIDE! PAGES 33 - 40
Migrant increase
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Out of their shells RESIDENTS of the Los Lobos community in Cuevas de Almanzora who stand to lose terrain and property over a reserve for the endangered spur-thighed tortoise protested on the streets on Monday, September 26. See page 4
Dry as a bone ALMERIA Province is experiencing its worst year of the last decade with barely 42mm of rainfall since January. The agricultural sector felt the heat with areas warning of severe consequences unless it rains soon. See page 6
Rocky ruins THE one remaining tower of the Castillo de Overa or Santa Barbara is in danger of collapsing if work is not done to
shore it up, leading the Andalucian ombudsman to step in and demand something be done. See page 10
Creative powers By Matthew Elliott The number of migrants arriving on the shores and beaches of Almeria is increasing as more are rescued making the hazardous journey from North Africa in often dilapidated vessels. Antonia Sanz, Madrid’s delegate to Andalucia, revealed the increase on a visit to a temporary immigrant shelter in Almeria manned by National Police officers and Red Cross volunteers. In the first nine months of 2016, more people have arrived
than the previous four years combined, almost 4,000 since January and roughly 1,000 in September alone. Breaking down the nationality of the immigrants, he stressed that despite the quickly escalating numbers, their origin remained essentially the same, with the vast majority coming from sub-Saharan Africa and the rest from Morocco and Algeria. Praising the Forces of State Security (FCSE), who have been on active duty across the Costa Almeria, for their humanitarian efforts, Sanz also singled
out the Red Cross volunteers for acting in such difficult circumstances. He reserved special praise for the Provincial Maritime Service of the Guardia Civil in Almeria (Semar), which is dedicated to the surveillance of local territorial waters. Noting that Semar had rescued more than 1,200 immigrants from the seas around Almeria this year in 56 separate interventions, he also called for recognition of their dangerous role in combating narcotics traffickers. Sanz pledged more govern-
ment resources to help meet the needs of immigrants and staff at the temporary shelter and hailed Andalucia as an “example to the international community on how to show solidarity with those risking their lives for a better future.”
THE provincial Public Prosecutor’s office has shelved the case of the possible presence of anti-rain aircraft in northern Almeria after Guardia Civil investigations failed to find any proof to confirm reported flights. See page 53
Safer streets ALBOX Council is spending €285,167 from the PFEA rural employment development plans on improvements to almost 20 streets across the town. See page 58