A total of 145 migrants have been rescued from two boats off the coast of Lanzarote within less than 24 hours, following two separate operations carried out by Maritime Rescue services.

The latest rescue took place on Sunday evening when the rescue vessel Acrux intercepted an inflatable boat carrying 68 people around 45 miles east of the island. Those on board included 63 men, four women and one child.

All passengers were safely brought to Arrecife port, and no medical evacuations or hospital transfers were required.

Earlier the same day, the Acrux rescued another boat carrying 77 migrants approximately 64 kilometres east of Lanzarote. That group included six women and three children among the passengers.

Rescue coordinators confirmed that the second vessel was found in open waters more than 12 miles from the coast. Authorities believe it had departed from the Tan-Tan area on Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast.

The two operations were completed without incident, with all 145 migrants safely transferred to Lanzarote.

The Canary Islands remain one of the main entry points into Europe for people attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing from West Africa. Rescue services regularly monitor the waters around the islands and respond to reports of vessels in distress or attempting the journey.