Spanish coast guard rescues 49 migrants near Gran Canaria

A migrant rescued in the Atlantic Ocean disembarks from a Spanish coast guard vessel in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, April 26, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)

A Spanish coast guard vessel has transported 49 migrants rescued in the Atlantic Ocean to the port of Arguineguin in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain.

The Red Cross said on Sunday that according to rescued migrants, the dinghy had been travelling for a week before it was intercepted by Spain's coast guards.

Of the 49 African migrants from mainly Mali and Senegal, twelve are believed to be minors, the Red Cross said.

Although overall irregular arrivals of migrants to Spain have declined by 20% compared to the same time last year, the number of irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands has increased from 181 arrivals on April 15, 2019 to 1781 compared to the same time this year.