11,000 illegals landed

11,000 illegals landed in the Canaries during 2007, a significant reduction compared to the previous year thanks to the effectiveness of sea patrols off the coast of Africa, which have prevented many would-be migrants from departing. However, the drop has been accompanied by an increase in the number of deaths at sea of Africans who have failed to survive the crossings.Latest news: The migrants, who include a small number of under-18s, were spotted in difficulty in their large wooden boat 200 miles off the coast of Gran Canaria and the ship was sent out to assist them. They were met in harbour by the local Red Cross, who provided food and medical treatment, and were then transferred by coaches to the main police station in Las Palmas to begin the formalities to return them to their countries of origin.