Nearly 2,200 migrants reach Canary Islands in two days, Spain says

Madrid Nearly 2,200 migrants have reached Spain's Canary Islands by boat over the past two days, Spain's maritime rescue service said on Sunday. The archipelago off northwest Africa is a major entry point for migrants, mainly from West Africa, attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing in makeshift boats. More than 13,000 of the just over 28,000 people who arrived in Spain by sea between January and the end of October landed in the Canary Islands, according to the Interior Ministry. At least five dead, dozens missing after migrant boat found drifting near Spain's Canary Islands At least five dead, dozens missing after migrant boat found drifting near Spain's Canary Islands While it was difficult to get precise information given their fragile state of health, migrants reported leaving Gambia and being stranded at sea for “many, many days.” Some estimated they had been at sea for nearly a month.