Over 230 Migrants Rescued Near Spain’s Canary Islands

October 22, 2024

Several migrants wait to disembark from a wooden boat in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria. Spain, October 20, 2024. REUTERS/Borja Suarez

More than 230 migrants were rescued from a fragile boat on Sunday in seas near Spain’s Canary Islands, according to coastguards.

Among the migrants were 14 women and three children. This marks the largest rescue operation from a single boat off the Island of Gran Canaria this year.

Upon finding the migrants near Gran Canaria’s main port, Spanish coastguards towed the wooden boat to safety.

Over 230 Migrants Rescued Near Spain's Canary Islands — A rescuer helps a migrant in poor health at the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, October 20, 2024. REUTERS/Borja Suarez

Government figures indicate that between January and October 15, 32,878 migrants have undertaken the dangerous journey in boats from West Africa to the Canary Islands, representing a 39.7% increase from the same period last year.

The Atlantic route to the Canary Islands has experienced the most significant surge in irregular migration in recent years.

However, the numbers remain lower than those on the Central Mediterranean route leading to Italy.