Migrant boat docks on packed beach in Cádiz

The jerry-built and barely-seaworthy craft rowed ashore onto the La Barrosa beach (pictured) at around midday, carrying at least 50 migrants.

Those on board were of Magrib or north African origin, who tend to be less-frequently seen entering Spain's coasts than sub-Saharan Africans.

Among them were 10 children of various ages.

The Bermeja Tower part of La Barrosa – one of Cádiz province's most touristy beaches – was full to bursting with bathers at the time, and around a thousand were said to be crowded round watching.

Before any of the sunseekers was able to speak to them to find out if they needed medical attention or food, the occupants fled into a nearby pine forest.

Guardia Civil officers have arrested two adults, and have found the 10 children who are currently being attended to in local hotels.

Meanwhile, police are combing the area to find the other migrants.

As they are 'illegal' immigrants, they will be given any necessary care and then placed in migration internment centres, where they will be helped to make asylum applications and will remain until they are either deported or granted refugee status.

Earlier, and with far fewer witnesses, the Los Alemanes beach further down the Cádiz province coast in Zahara de los Atunes was the scene of another migrant raft's arrival, with 43 people on board.

Photograph of La Barrosa beach in Chiclana de la Frontera by Cádiz provincial tourism board