Maritime rescue authorities say 751 migrants have been plucked safely from 52 boats trying to reach Spanish shores from northern Africa. Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service says 709 migrants were traveling in 48 boats across the Strait of Gibraltar, the shortest route. Eleven people were found crossing the so-called Alboran Sea further east, AP reports. Three boats were approaching the eastern Spanish coast of Alicante with a total of 31 people on board. Boats and helicopters are still looking for more dinghies, according to the service. A crackdown in Libya has made it more difficult to reach Italy, and many are attempting the trip from Algeria and Morocco and into Spain. More than 20,000 people have already arrived in the country by sea in 2018.