Canary Islands: El Hierro under pressure amid influx of migrants

Nearly 3,000 migrants have reached El Hierro since the beginning of October, putting pressure on the smallest Canary Island, which has around 11,000 residents. On October 22, more than 400 people arrived at the port of La Restinga aboard four boats after being rescued at sea. Island government president Alpidio Armas defended a humanitarian response, saying rescue and transfer operations are arranged to limit disruption and that the effort also brings economic benefits to the island. Health services are already feeling the effects of the increased arrivals, as migration returns to the centre of Spain’s political debate ahead of snap elections on November 29.