Baby born on a migrant boat crossing from Africa to the Canary Islands
A baby was born on a packed migrant dinghy traveling from Africa to the Canary Islands this week, according to Spanish coast guards.
They released a photo of the newborn boy, who was rescued alongside his mother and numerous other migrants.
The overcrowded inflatable raft was first spotted on January 6, off the coast of Lanzarote.
Rescuers believe they reached the boat shortly after the baby was born, coinciding with Spain’s celebration of Epiphany, a Christian holiday where children traditionally receive gifts.
The captain of the rescue boat stated that they were aware of a pregnant woman on board but were shocked to find “a completely naked baby who had been born 10, 15, or 20 minutes earlier.”
Domingo Trujillo explained that when they arrived, the mother was lying on the raft’s floor, and another passenger was holding the baby.
Following medical advice, both the mother and child were airlifted to a hospital on Lanzarote. Authorities have reported no further complications.
“The best gift we could have received on Three Kings Day,” said the helicopter’s commander, Álvaro Serrano Pérez, speaking to Reuters.
The journey from Africa to the Canary Islands is notoriously perilous.
More than 46,800 undocumented migrants made the route last year to reach the islands, Spanish government data this month showed.
The Christian feast day of Epiphany, when observers celebrate the visit to Jesus by the Magi – commonly known as the Three Kings, or Wise Men – is widely celebrated in Spain.
Children polish their shoes on the eve of the event known as “El Dia de los Reyes” (the Day of the Kings) and leave them ready for the Three Kings – Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – to put their presents in.
