Spain’s maritime rescue service assisted hundreds of migrants near El Hierro on October 23. EFE’s initial account reported 416 people aboard three boats. A later update, attributed to EFE and carried by Madar, put the daily total at 566 people on four boats, including at least 16 women and 27 minors. The later tally included an additional boat carrying 150 people. (efe.com)
The rescues followed more than 400 arrivals on October 22 from departure points in Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania. One of that earlier day’s boats had left Nouadhibou carrying 33 Senegalese passengers, including 14 minors, according to reporting relaying EFE. The reviewed reports did not establish that the boats arriving on October 23 had departed Mauritania. (eng.madar.mr)
Rescue capacity under pressure
Canarian broadcaster RTVC reported early on October 23 that rescue assets were stretched as teams responded to three boats south of El Hierro. Another rescue vessel was being dispatched from Gran Canaria to reinforce the operation. (rtvc.es)
The figures belong to two separate days and should not be conflated. October 22 provides the direct Mauritanian departure connection; October 23 supplies the new rescue activity and evidence of continuing pressure on the Atlantic route. (eng.madar.mr)