Rescue of Over 500 Migrants Off the Spanish Canary Islands

Spanish Coast Guard announced today, Saturday, that more than 500 migrants have been rescued in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands, bringing the number of people who have arrived at the Spanish archipelago since the beginning of the year close to the record set in 2006. The Coast Guard also reported finding two bodies among the rescued migrants from four boats in waters off El Hierro, the smallest and most westerly of the Canary Islands. The Spanish Civil Guard, which also participated in the rescue operation, stated that two other individuals later died in the hospital, mentioning that there were women and children among those rescued. The Spanish Ministry of Interior stated on Thursday that 30,705 illegal migrants have reached the Canary Islands in the first ten months of this year, representing a 111% increase compared to the same period last year. This number is approaching the total record from 2006, which was 31,678 migrants who arrived at the Canary Islands. The Spanish government has stated it will provide additional emergency accommodation for around three thousand migrants in hotels, hostels, and military barracks.