More than a thousand migrants arrive in the Canary Islands on Saturday

The Red Cross said that 783 people arrived on Saturday in El Hierro, 98 in Tenerife and 150 in Gran Canaria. Among the boat passengers were women and young children.

The seven islands of the archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean have become the main destination for migrants trying to reach Spain. This year, crossing attempts from Senegal and other African countries have increased. This has led to problems in the Canary Islands in recent weeks.

The people, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, were registered on islands off the west coast of Africa, where they received first aid and were then gradually transferred to the Spanish mainland. Politicians in the Canary Islands criticize the central government in Madrid for saying this process is too slow. Officials are also calling for more support in caring for migrants.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, nearly 19,000 migrants from Africa were counted in the Canary Islands this year as of October 8. According to information from the Spanish aid organization Caminando Fronteras, at least 778 people died trying to reach the Canary Islands in the first six months of the year.

Most migrants make the crossing in dug-out fishing boats Canoes. These simple wooden boats are easily carried by the strong currents of the Atlantic Ocean, causing them to quickly go off course.