Over 230 Migrants Rescued from Boat off Spain’s Canary Islands Amid Surge in Irregular Migration

On October 20, Spanish coast guards rescued 231 migrants, including 14 women and three children, from a wooden boat near Gran Canaria’s main port, Arab News reported.

This incident marks the largest single rescue of the year in the region. Between January and October 15, approximately 32,878 migrants have attempted the dangerous journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands, reflecting a 39.7% increase compared to the same timeframe last year.

The Atlantic route has become a focal point for irregular migration, although overall numbers remain lower than those on the Central Mediterranean route to Italy. Rescuers continue to confront the challenges posed by this perilous migration route as the crisis unfolds.