VIDEO: 53 people rescued on a boat in waters to the north of Lanzarote

Maritime Rescue intercepted a boat heading to the Canary Islands with 53 North African immigrants on board yesterday (Tuesday) almost 50 kilometres north of Lanzarote.

According to a report from the emergency services the boat was spotted by a merchant ship at sea, which notified Maritime Rescue of its presence, with 48 men, two women, and three children on board.

When the Guardamar Polimnia rescue boat reached them, all occupants boarded the rescue boat and it took them to the port of Arrecife where they were met by the Red Cross and medical personnel at around 6:30pm who assessed them and activated the relevant protocols.