Two pirogues from Senegal land 228 migrants in the Canary Islands
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Seneweb
Two pirogues that left Saint-Louis landed 228 migrants on El Hierro in the Canary Islands, including six women and six minors. They arrived after a seven-day crossing, with no health problems reported, according to Spanish rescue services and accounts from passengers.
Two pirogues that left Senegal landed 228 migrants on the island of El Hierro in the Canary Islands, including six women and six minors. The first boat, carrying 62 people, reached the port of La Restinga at about 1.30am on the night from Wednesday to Thursday, after a seven-day crossing, according to Spanish rescue services.
Passengers on that pirogue said they had left Saint-Louis in northern Senegal. They came from Senegal, Mali, Gambia and Guinea-Conakry, among other countries. The second boat, which arrived on the same island on Thursday, was carrying 166 people. No health problems were reported among the 228 migrants, according to information provided by Spanish rescue services.
The arrivals came the day after 171 migrants were rescued when a pirogue ran aground at Gandiol, Senegal, on 21 October. The rescue of 171 migrants at Gandiol also took place without any deaths.
