A newborn baby girl has become a symbol of hope after being born aboard a migrant boat headed for Spain’s Canary Islands. The treacherous journey, which often ends in tragedy, saw a miracle this week as rescuers stepped in just in time.
A rescue on Three Kings Day
The boat was spotted near Lanzarote on Monday, coinciding with Spain’s Epiphany holiday, also known as Three Kings Day. This day celebrates the gifts brought to baby Jesus by the wise men. In a dramatic photo capturing the rescue, the newborn rested in her mother’s lap, showcasing a moment of relief and resilience.
“Christmas ends in the Canary Islands with the rescue of a baby born in the middle of the sea,” wrote Salvamento Marítimo, Spain’s maritime rescue agency, on X (formerly Twitter). The mother and her baby were airlifted to safety and taken to a hospital in Arrecife, Lanzarote’s eastern city. Local reports confirmed their safe arrival, but details about their condition remain unclear.
Dramatic moments during the rescue
Domingo Trujillo, the rescue vessel’s captain, shared insights about the dramatic rescue. Speaking to broadcaster TVE, he revealed the team had known a pregnant woman was onboard but didn’t expect the baby to have already arrived. “The surprise was … a totally naked baby who was born 10, 15, or 20 minutes earlier,” Trujillo said. He acted swiftly, covering the baby and calming her down.
Alvaro Serrano Perez, the helicopter commander involved in the rescue, called it “the best gift” on Three Kings Day. The event highlighted the courage and determination of both the migrants and the rescuers.
Rising migration to the Canary Islands
The rescue occurred amid a surge in migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands. Many come from countries like Mali, Senegal, and Morocco. In 2024, the Canary Islands Route accounted for nearly 47,000 arrivals, making up 73% of irregular migration to Spain. However, this route is also the deadliest. Spanish migration rights group Caminando Fronteras reported a record 10,457 deaths or disappearances on unofficial maritime routes to Spain in 2024. The Canary Islands saw the highest toll. These figures, though shocking, couldn’t be independently verified by NBC News.
Dedication of the rescuers
Salvamento Marítimo’s team continues to work tirelessly to save lives. This isn’t Trujillo’s first encounter with such miracles. In 2020, he led a similar rescue where a woman gave birth during the perilous journey. The agency praised Trujillo and his crew for their unwavering dedication to aiding migrants.
A symbol of hope and resilience
The story of this baby girl’s birth serves as a powerful reminder of human resilience and hope, even in the face of immense hardship. It’s a poignant moment amid ongoing challenges in the migration crisis.
