Malaga, Spain - Spanish rescuers were Tuesday searching for the bodies of at least 20 African emigres who died on their boat while trying to reach Spain, national Red Cross sources said.

Twenty-five survivors were rescued overnight from the sinking boat off Almeria on the southern coast and taken to Malaga.

The boat was adrift for three days. The survivors said they had thrown overboard the bodies of their companions who died during the crossing.

The survivors included a woman who lost her husband, baby and two older children.

Four of the survivors were treated for hypothermia.

Another boat carrying 40 other migrants arrived in Almeria.

Hundreds of Africans are believed to have died by drowning or from hunger, thirst and exposure while trying to cross over to Spain last year alone. (dpa)