Story By: Maja Mishevksa, Sub Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash

This image shows a desperate migrant found risking his life by hiding in the petrol tank of a vehicle as he tried to enter Europe.

The 23-year-old man, reportedly from Guinea, was found hidden in the vehicle trying to cross from Morocco into Spain at the Beni Ansar border area close to the Spanish controlled city of Melilla in North Africa.

According to official reports, the rescue took place during routine border controls on a vehicle with Moroccan licence plates.

The officer decided to inspect the vehicle more thoroughly and the areas typically used by traffickers were searched.

The officer noticed some details on the back seat of the vehicle and put his hand under the seat, noticing that there was something there which felt similar to human skin.

The officer decided to arrest the driver and upon lifting the back seat he found the 23-year-old in the fetal position.

Official sources reported that part of the petrol tank had been removed and was used to hide the man.

The migrant, whose name has not been revealed, was numb due to the position he had been lying in.

Firefighters were needed to rescue the man and local media report he was attended to by paramedics as he was suffering from nausea, disorientation and breathing issues because of the toxic fumes in the hiding place.

He was stabilised by the paramedics and taken to the Centro de Estancia Temporal de Inmigrantes (Centre for Temporary Stay of Immigrants ) of Melilla.

The vehicle, the exact type of which has not been specified, was being driven by a 50-year-old man who was arrested and charged with human trafficking. The driver’s nationality has not been reported but he has been ordered to be placed in jail, according to reports.

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