A woman travelling aboard a precarious migrant boat heading to the Canary Islands gave birth during the journey. She was on board a patera (small boat) carrying around 60 people that was intercepted on Monday morning in waters near Lanzarote.
Both the mother and her newborn were airlifted by a maritime rescue helicopter after boarding the Guardamar Talía rescue boat.
According to sources from Maritime Rescue, both mother and baby were in "apparently good health." They were transferred to the Doctor José Molina Orosa Hospital in Lanzarote for further medical evaluation and care.
The Radiomedical Centre, which provides telemedicine support for maritime emergencies, recommended the helicopter evacuation due to the mother's condition. Despite the challenging circumstances, she remained calm, as noted by rescue officials.
Coordinated Rescue Effort
The Maritime Rescue Centre in Las Palmas deployed its Helimer 202 helicopter to assist in the evacuation. After the Guardamar Talía brought the woman and her newborn aboard, the helicopter hoisted them to safety and transported them to Arrecife airport where a waiting ambulance transferred them to the hospital.
The patera was carrying approximately 60 people, including 14 women and four suspected minors. The group was travelling across dangerous waters in a bid to reach the Canary Islands, a common but treacherous route for migrants attempting to enter Europe.
Separate Arrival in Los Cristianos
In a related incident, 14 people arrived by cayuco (a type of small fishing canoe) at Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife, managing to reach the shore unaided. This highlights the continued influx of migrants to the Canary Islands, which serve as a key gateway to Europe despite the significant risks involved.
The Canary Islands have seen a surge in migrant arrivals in recent years, driven by political, economic, and environmental factors in countries of origin. The Spanish authorities continue to respond to these arrivals with rescue operations, though the situation remains a humanitarian and logistical challenge.
