The Red Cross, which was helping to treat the migrants, said
a wooden boat that arrived on the island of El Hierro marked a
record number of arrivals in a single boat. The previous record
was a boat carrying 271 people that arrived in El Hierro on Oct.
3.
a wooden boat that arrived on the island of El Hierro marked a
record number of arrivals in a single boat. The previous record
was a boat carrying 271 people that arrived in El Hierro on Oct.
3.
Saturday's arrivals included 783 in El Hierro, 98 in
Tenerife and 150 in Gran Canaria, the Red Cross said. The boats'
passengers included women and small children.
Tenerife and 150 in Gran Canaria, the Red Cross said. The boats'
passengers included women and small children.
In Gran Canaria, the coast guard towed a wooden boat
carrying migrants, including a toddler, into the port of
Arguineguin. Wooden boats from previous arrivals were docked in
the port.
The seven islands of the Atlantic archipelago have become
the main destination for migrants trying to reach Spain, and
this year there has been an increase in attempted crossings from
Senegal and other African countries.
Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15 this year, the islands received
23,537 migrants, an 80% increase from the same period last year
according to official data.
At least 1,000 people have died attempting the crossing so
far this year, according to the Walking Borders charity.
Spain's acting migration minister pledged an aid package
worth 50 million euro ($53 million) on Oct. 19 to help the
Canary Islands cope with an "extraordinary migration flow."
Forum