Updated

Spain's Marine Rescue service says it has found the bodies of two sub-Saharan African migrants believed to have been in a boat with eight others that had left Morocco.

A spokeswoman said the bodies of two men were found Wednesday in waters off the Spanish islet of Perejil, close to Morocco. The service began a search of the area after it had been notified that a migrant boat had left the northwest African country.

The official said the search for the other migrants would resume Thursday. She spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with service regulations.

Groups of African migrants seeking a better life in Europe regularly try to reach Spain by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco in small boats.