El Hierro, the westernmost island of Spain’s Canary Islands, has declared a state of emergency after more than 3,300 people arrived on boats since the beginning of November, the island’s authorities said.
The declaration comes as the island’s limited facilities are stretched by the sudden surge of migrants and refugees arriving from the Atlantic. Local officials have called on the Spanish government for additional support to manage the influx.
El Hierro’s request follows a pattern of increased crossings in the region, with the island’s authorities noting that the number of arrivals has exceeded their capacity to provide adequate shelter, medical care and basic services.
Spanish authorities have yet to announce the specific assistance that will be dispatched, but the emergency status signals the urgency of the situation for the island’s residents and the broader Spanish government.
The island’s declaration underscores the growing pressure on the Canary Islands to respond to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Atlantic, as more people seek passage to Europe by sea.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
