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Las Palmas (AP) - 17 dead from Africa were discovered in a small boat in the Atlantic off the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain.
The Spanish sea rescue found only three survivors, the news agency Europa Press reported, citing the authorities.
The woman and two men were taken to a hospital by helicopter.
The rescue cruiser "Talía" was on the way and should reach the boat on Tuesday, which had been discovered by a search plane the day before about 500 kilometers south of the island of Hierro.
The number of people who dare to make the dangerous crossing from Africa across the Atlantic towards the archipelago has risen sharply in the past year.
According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, more than 22,000 migrants were counted.
The trend continued this year as well.
According to the UN, more than 4100 people from Africa have been counted so far.
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The Canary Islands are only about 100 kilometers west of the coast of West Africa in the Atlantic.
However, the open Atlantic is very dangerous for the small boats, which are mostly only powered by outboard motors.
Those who miss the islands or get lost have little chance of survival.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210427-99-367002 / 3
UNHCR migrant numbers for the Canary Islands, as of December 27, 2020