A baby was born on a small boat carrying migrants from Africa

The baby was born on a small boat carrying 60 migrants to the Spanish-controlled Canary Islands, which were being evacuated from Africa.

The boat, which is currently off the coast of Lanzarote, was immediately taken by helicopter to a hospital for emergency treatment.

The captain of the boat, Domingo Trujillo, said that although they knew there was a pregnant woman on board, they did not know when she gave birth.

“What surprised us was to see a naked baby who had been born for about 15 or 20 minutes. I immediately wrapped him up and put him on my chest to stop him crying.”

The baby was born on January 6, a day known as Epiphany or The Three Kings, when Christians celebrate giving gifts to children. On this day, Christians remember the three wise men who first visited Jesus when he was born.

The number of migrants arriving in the Spanish islands via the Atlantic Ocean continues to rise. It also puts the lives of many who try to enter the country by sea at risk, as some drown.

The Spanish government says it received more than 46,800 undocumented migrants in 2024.