Spain's maritime rescue service has rescued 3,261 migrants in waters around the Canary Islands in the first six days of November. Local officials call the flow unsustainable and say it is nearing the 2024 record.

Last night alone, rescuers pulled about 500 people from two boats and found one body. The rescues took place at the port of La Restinga.

Video from the port shows hundreds of migrants. A seriously ill baby arrived by helicopter and was taken to hospital. Buses were diverted to carry migrants, and medics from other islands were sent to La Restinga.

El Hierro has about 11,400 residents and is one of the main entry points for migrants from West Africa. Fernando Clavijo, head of the Canary Islands regional government, says the situation on the island is completely unsustainable.

Clavijo said that on some days even more people arrive than at the record level. He said calmer weather is encouraging a new wave of departures, and the flow puts extra strain on health and transport services.

At least nine migrants have died on the way to the Canaries in the past few weeks, and thousands more have been rescued.

The route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. Each year, migrants try to cross it in overcrowded boats, despite strong currents, rough seas and long distances.

In the first 10 months of the year, arrivals in the Canaries were almost 61% lower than in the same period of 2024.