Salvamento Marítimo has rescued 133 migrants, including ten women and 16 minors, from an overcrowded dinghy approximately 50 miles off Lanzarote. This incident marks the largest number of occupants recorded for any vessel attempting the Canary Islands route.
The rescue operation took place on Saturday, with the migrants transported to Puerto Naos for assistance from the Red Cross. Four individuals were later evacuated to Molina Orosa hospital for further care. Initially, Salvamento Marítimo reported that there were 143 people onboard before confirming the final figure.
The dinghy is notable for being the most overcrowded observed on the route to date. The previous record was set only last Monday when another vessel carrying 132 survivors, comprising 120 men, 12 women, and two deceased individuals, was brought to Lanzarote.
Since the summer, incidents involving dinghies carrying over 100 people have surged, including rescues of 122 on July 8, 111 on August 20, 107 on September 14, and 125 on October 8. The most recent rescue, prior to this one, involved 134 migrants.
