Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain  - A Spanish air force plane spotted a boat carrying 74 undocumented immigrants and three bodies overnight, rescuers said Tuesday.

The boat, which had set sail in Gambia, was discovered south of Gran Canaria Island after 10 days at sea.

The survivors, among them 10 minors, were taken to the port of Arguineguin on the island. Several of them needed medical care.

Thousands of Africans are believed to have died by drowning or from exposure when trying to reach Spain.

Tighter maritime frontier controls have contributed to reducing the influx of migrants, thousands of whom nevertheless land annually on the southern coast and the Canary Islands. (dpa)