Migrant surge stretches Canary Islands

Two full rescue boats were welcomed by migrants at Arguineguin port in Gran Canaria this week
Two full rescue boats were welcomed by migrants at Arguineguin port in Gran Canaria this week
QUIQUE CURBELO/EPA

Spain is struggling to cope with thousands of immigrants who are making the perilous sea voyage from Africa to the Canary Islands in ever greater numbers.

Nearly 17,000 migrants have made the journey to the islands this year — ten times last year’s total — half of them arriving last month. The Spanish government has been caught off-guard as local authorities and charities struggle to shelter, feed and provide them with medical care.

Yesterday officials prepared to move 200 migrants to a temporary camp set up by the army to ease conditions at Arguineguin port on Gran Canaria, which has been overwhelmed by thousands of arrivals in recent weeks.

The handling of the surge has been chaotic. Up to 2,000 people have been sleeping at