Canary Islands records highest single-day migrant rescues since 2020

Spanish maritime authorities rescued 1,488 people from 14 boats near the Canary Islands on Saturday, setting the archipelago’s highest single-day total since 2020. Twelve boats reached El Hierro, with the others arriving in Gran Canaria and Tenerife; at least 167 of those rescued were minors, according to provisional figures. The surge has strained reception services, especially on El Hierro, and Spain’s territorial policy minister is due to visit the island to assess the situation. The government has approved an emergency declaration and €15.18 million to bolster humanitarian aid and expand reception capacity. Despite the recent increase, arrivals to the islands from January through October were 5.5% lower than in the same period last year.