MADRID (Reuters) - Nearly 32,000 migrants have reached Spain's Canary Islands on fragile boats from west Africa this year, passing a previous record posted in 2006, regional authorities said on Sunday.
So far this year, 31,933 people have reached the islands, compared with the 2006 small boats crisis when 31,678 people made it to the Canaries, regional authorities told Reuters.
Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands regional chief, said the figures showed the scale of the humanitarian crisis faced by the islands and called for more help from the Spanish government and the European Union.
Its seven islands have become the main destination for migrants from Senegal and other African countries trying to reach Spain, fleeing conflict or seeking a better life.
The Spanish government said it would create additional emergency accommodation for some 3,000 migrants in military barracks, hotels and hostels.
Persons:
Fernando Clavijo, Graham Keeley, Giles Elgood
Organizations:
Canaries, Reuters, Spanish coastguard, Spanish Civil Guard, Canary, European Union, State
Locations:
MADRID, Africa, El Hierro, EU, Africa's, Senegal, Spain