Santa Cruz, Spain (dpa) - Spanish authorities said Wednesday that the number of illegals attempting to reach the Canary Islands was increasing, with at least 200 would-be-immigrants being apprehended within a 24-hour-period off Tenerife, Feurteventura and El Hierro.

The immigrants were all in good health, the authorities said. According to Spanish government estimates, around 31,000 boat immigrants have reached the Canaries illegally in 2006 so far, almost as many as in the 2002-2005 period.

In the autumn and winter months of 2006, inclement weather had the effect of reducing the numbers of would-be-immigrants travelling by boat.

However, traffickers have started to use bigger and more stable boats, which are better-adapted to rough sea journeys.

In 2006, around 600 illegals drowned while attempting to reach Spain by boat, according to official reports.

However, aid organizations estimate that at least 3,000 have died.


Publication date: 27 December 2006   

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