Madrid — Boats carrying capsized migrants in Spain’s Canary Islands killed one and left another 24 missing, officials said.
According to the Spanish Maritime Rescue Team, the ship capsized between Monday afternoon and early Tuesday.
A Spanish rescue team intercepted three boats heading to the island and rescued a total of 116 people, the Associated Press told the Associated Press.
The two boats were deployed on Monday afternoon and were drifting about 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of the archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa.
A third boat was found capsized about 225 kilometers (140 miles) south of the island. Marine Services rescued 36 people, including 10 women and 2 minors, and regained their bodies. A spokeswoman who was not allowed to be named in the media said the search was subsequently discontinued.
Authorities reportedly carried 61 migrants on a sunken ship believed to have departed from Cape Bohador in the conflict area of Western Sahara, she added.
In recent years, immigrants have bravely confronted the Atlantic crossroads to reach the Canary Islands, endangering one of the most dangerous routes to European territory.
Last year, 22,316 migrants arrived via the Canary Islands. According to the Ministry of Interior, 6,359 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands between January and mid-April this year. This is an increase of 60% compared to the same period last year.
By Ashifa Kassam
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