Spain’s maritime rescue service helped 45 migrants off the Canary Islands on Thursday (September 3) the Red Cross told Reuters.

The group, including a woman and 44 men, was rescued 60 miles off Gran Canaria island and transferred to Arguineguin port.

Rescue workers were unable to recover the bodies of five people who had died due to the rough sea conditions, and the bodies remained on the drifting vessel, Red Cross said.

Several migrants who were in a poor condition were taken on helicopter to Dr Negrin hospital.

The number of migrants reaching the Canary Islands from West Africa has fallen this year 57.4%, latest Interior Ministry data indicate showed on August 31.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ARGUINEGUIN, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 3, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. RESCUE WORKERS HELPING MIGRANT ON STRETCHER TO DISEMBARK

2. VARIOUS OF EMERGENCY AND RESCUE WORKERS HELPING MIGRANTS TO DISEMBARK

3. MIGRANTS COVERED IN RED BLANKETS FROM RED CROSS

4. AMBULANCE AT DOCK