Algeciras, Spain  - Spanish police Tuesday intercepted a boat carrying six unaccompanied children attempting to migrate to Spain, emergency services said.

Five of the north-African boys were between 10 and 11 years old. The sixth was believed to be around 16, media reports said.

The children were travelling in a three-metre-long inflatable boat. The boys, who had rowed for several hours in windy weather, were reported to be in good health.

Their boat was intercepted about three kilometres off the town of Tarifa in southern Spain.

African would-be immigrants to Spain often include minors, but media reports described the vessel intercepted on Tuesday as the first to have only children on board.

More than 4,000 Africans have been detained after arriving in Spain illegally this year. Dozens of others have drowned or died of exposure during the attempt to reach Europe. (dpa)