SEVEN MIGRANTS DIE OFF SPAIN'S CANARY ISLANDS

MADRID, NOVEMBER 2 /SRNA/ – At least seven people have died aboard a migrant boat travelling towards the Canary Islands, the Spanish Maritime Rescue Service announced.

When rescuers arrived early this morning, the boat was approximately 150 kilometres northeast of Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, with nearly 140 people on board.

Two bodies were still on the vessel, while survivors reported that five bodies had been thrown into the Atlantic Ocean during the voyage.

Three other boats carrying a total of 132 people arrived in Arrecife early this morning, broadcaster Cadena SER reported, citing the Canary Islands' emergency coordination centre.

Heavy rainfall affected parts of the archipelago today, and the regional government issued its highest-level rain alert for eastern La Palma, one of the western Canary Islands.

Sea arrivals to the Canary Islands increased by 285 per cent in October compared to the same month last year.