A total of 131 migrants have been intercepted in two inflatable boats by Maritime Rescue off the coast of Lanzarote over the past two nights.

On both occasion the people on board the boats were taken to the Port of Arrecife, where they were assessed by medical teams after making the dangerous Atlantic crossing.

First boat had 81 people on board

The first incident took place on Thursday night, when Maritime Rescue intercepted an inflatable boat carrying 81 people, including seven children and eight women, east of Lanzarote.

The group, made up of people of North African and sub-Saharan African origin, was brought ashore at around 11:30pm.

Medical teams from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC), Primary Care and the Red Cross examined everyone on arrival. Emergency services confirmed that none required hospital treatment, with all reported to be in generally good health.

Second interception brings 50 more migrants

A second operation followed on Friday night after the Spanish Air and Space Force's Rescue Coordination Centre spotted another inflatable boat heading towards Lanzarote.

Maritime Rescue dispatched the Salvamar Acrux rescue vessel, while a nearby merchant ship, the Anemos, located the boat and escorted it until rescue crews arrived.

At around 10:25pm last night, Salvamar Acrux retrieved all 50 people on board. Authorities said all are adult men of North African and sub-Saharan African origin.

They arrived at the Port of Arrecife at approximately 1:22am this morning (Saturday), where they were met by medical personnel from the Canary Islands Health Service and volunteers from the Red Cross for routine health checks.

Regular Arrivals Continue

Even though overall numbers of irregular migrants arriving in the Canary Islands have dropped, Lanzarote continues to one of the main arrival points for those attempting the hazardous Atlantic route from the African coast, due to the island’s location.

Maritime Rescue, supported by the emergency services and humanitarian organisations, continues to carry out regular rescue operations in the waters surrounding the archipelago as boats continue to head to the islands.