Security forces rescued more than 500 migrants from distress at sea off the Canary Islands of El Hierro. There were also bodies in the boats. Thousands of migrants have been arriving in the Canary Islands for weeks.
Spanish security forces have rescued more than 500 migrants from distress off the Canary Islands of El Hierro. The coast guard said the people were traveling in four boats.
There were also two bodies in the boats. According to the Guardia Civil, two of those rescued died in a hospital.
Sharp increase since September
The number of arrivals has jumped since September due to milder weather and calmer seas. On Thursday, the Interior Ministry in Madrid announced that a total of 30,705 migrants reached the Canary Islands in the first ten months of this year. This represents an increase of 111 percent compared to the same period last year.
This figure compares to the record 31,678 migrants who arrived in the Canary Islands in 2006. At that time, other routes to Europe were blocked.
Medical staff care for the people rescued from El Hierro.
Additional emergency accommodation for around 3,000 migrants
The government announced that it would create additional emergency accommodation for around 3,000 migrants in barracks, hotels and hostels. A large proportion of migrants who reach Spain by sea arrive in the Canary Islands.
The archipelago is located about 100 kilometers off the west coast of Africa. The seven islands have become main destinations for migrants from Senegal and other African countries.