Historic Migrant Rescue: Record Numbers Reach Canary Islands

On Sunday, over 230 migrants were rescued by Spanish coastguards from a single boat near the Canary Islands. The vessel carried 231 people, including women and children, marking the largest such rescue this year. From January to October, migrant arrivals via this route increased by 39.7%.

A dramatic rescue unfolded off the coast of Spain's Canary Islands as over 230 migrants were saved from a precarious wooden boat. Spanish coastguards reported that the vessel, carrying 231 individuals, included fourteen women and three children, marking the year's largest single rescue near Gran Canaria.

After intercepting the boat near Gran Canaria's main port, coastguards towed it to safety. This incident is part of a significant increase in migration, with 32,878 individuals attempting the dangerous journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands from January to mid-October, according to official statistics.

Despite the peril, the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands has become increasingly popular, showing the fastest growth in irregular migration, albeit numbers still trail behind those on the Central Mediterranean path toward Italy.

(With inputs from agencies.)