Seven hospitalised after migrant boat rescued off Gran Canaria

Seven people were taken to hospital after a boat carrying migrants was rescued off the coast of Gran Canaria in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday).

The boat was brought to the port of Arguineguín, in the municipality of Mogán, where medical teams assessed those on board.

Emergency services reported that 137 people were rescued, although another report put the number at 136. Seven required transfers to hospital for further treatment. Their medical conditions have not been made public.

A second boat carrying 12 people was rescued near Gran Canaria on Wednesday night and also brought to Arguineguín. None of those on board needed hospital treatment.

Migrant arrivals increase in October

The latest rescue comes amid a sharp rise in migrant boat arrivals across the Canary Islands in recent weeks. According to provisional figures from the Canary Islands Government, more than 4,000 people have arrived by sea during October alone, with El Hierro receiving the majority. Official figures from Spain’s Ministry of the Interior show that 8,970 migrants reached the archipelago between 1st January and 15th October 2026, compared with 13,491 during the same period last year. Despite the recent increase, overall arrivals remain below 2025 levels