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A baby has been born on a boat full of migrants that sailed from Africa to the Canary Islands this week, Spanish coastguards say.
They have published the photo of the baby who was rescued with the mother and the photo of several other migrants.
The inflatable raft full of people was first seen on the island of Lanzarote on January 6.
Rescuers believe they arrived on the ship shortly after the baby was born on the day Spain celebrates Epiphany, a Christian holiday in which babies traditionally receive gifts.
The captain of the rescue boat said they knew there was a pregnant woman on board, but were shocked to find “a baby born completely naked 10, 15 or 20 minutes early.”
Domingo Trujillo said that when they arrived on board, the mother was lying on the floor of the overstuffed raft while the baby was being held by another passenger.
On the advice of the doctors, the child and his mother were taken by helicopter to the hospital in Lanzarote. Authorities have not reported any other complications.
“Being Three Kings Day, it was the best gift we could have received,” helicopter commander Álvaro Serrano Pérez told Reuters.
The ocean crossing from Africa to the Canary Islands is dangerous.
More than 46,800 undocumented migrants made their way to the islands last year, Spanish government figures this month showed.
The Christian holiday of Epiphany, when observers celebrate the visit of Jesus by the Magi, known as the Three Kings or Magi, is widely celebrated in Spain.
On the eve of the event called “El Dia de los Reyes” (King’s Day), the Three Kings – Melxor, Kaspar and Baltasar – polish their shoes and leave them ready to place gifts.
