Boy reported dead at sea in attempt to reach Canary Islands

Spanish rescuers safely brought more than 30 migrants to shore

Immigration officials help a migrant after a boat carrying more than 30 people was rescued at sea near the Canary Islands. EPA.

Spanish rescuers reached a boat carrying more than 30 migrants and brought them safely to the Canary Islands, but one of the children on board died at sea.

Rescuers said the small boat was discovered late on Friday about 160 kilometres south of Gran Canaria. On board there were 11 men, 20 women and three children travelling in poor conditions.

The survivors said a 9-year-old boy died during the journey and they tossed his body overboard.

About 23,000 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands in 2020, an increase from about 3,000 in 2019, according to Spain's Interior Ministry. More than 500 died in the attempt.

The people taking the boats are understood to be fleeing poverty, violence or other circumstances, including the Covid-19 pandemic, in African countries and elsewhere.