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Baby born on migrant boat crossing from Africa to Canary Islands

SALVAMENTO MARITIMO/REUTERS African migrants rugged up in winter coats surround a baby just minutes after it was born on a dinghy off the coast of Spain's Canary IslandsSALVAMENTO MARITIMO/REUTERS
The baby was born on the dinghy on Monday

A baby was born on a crowded migrant dinghy which travelled from Africa to the Canary Islands this week, Spanish coast guards say.

They have published a picture of the baby boy who was rescued on alongside his mother and scores of other migrants.

The crowded inflatable raft was first spotted on 6 January off the island of Lanzarote.

The rescuers believe they reached the vessel soon after the baby was born on the day Spain celebrated the Epiphany, a Christian holiday where children traditionally receive gifts.

The captain of the rescue boat said they knew there was a pregnant woman on board, but were surprised to find "a totally naked baby who was born 10,15 or 20 minutes earlier".

Domingo Trujillo said when they reached the vessel, the mother was lying on the floor of the packed raft while the baby was being held by another passenger.

SALVAMENTO MARITIMO/REUTERS Spanish coast guards wearing white suits on a ship work on towing a rubber boat carrying migrants, including a newborn baby, off the island off the Canary Island of LanzaroteSALVAMENTO MARITIMO/REUTERS
Spanish authorities published pictures of the rescue on Wednesday

Upon medical advice, the baby and its mother were taken via helicopter to hospital on Lanzarote. No other complications have been reported by authorities.

"It being Three Kings Day, this was the best gift we could have received," the commander of the helicopter, Álvaro Serrano Pérez, told Reuters news agency.

The ocean crossing from Africa to the Canary Islands is notoriously dangerous.

More than 46,800 undocumented migrants made the route last year to reach the islands, Spanish government data this month showed.

The Christian feast day of Epiphany, when observers celebrate the visit to Jesus by the Magi - commonly known as the Three Kings, or Wise Men - is widely celebrated in Spain.

Children polish their shoes on the eve of the event known as "El Dia de los Reyes" (the Day of the Kings) and leave them ready for the Three Kings - Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - to put their presents in.