Seven migrants die on a Lanzarote-bound boat off Spain's Canary Islands as five bodies are thrown overboard after 'violence'

A rubber dinghy carrying around 139 migrants was pulled to safety in the predawn hours of Monday, 150km north-east of Arrecife, Lanzarote, with survivors reporting that violence broke out during the crossing. Authorities are now examining how the seven died and why five bodies were thrown into the Atlantic before rescuers arrived. Over the course of Monday alone, multiple operations off Lanzarote and El Hierro brought more than 380 people ashore.

Sea arrivals to the Canary Islands surged 285% in October compared with the same month last year, according to regional government figures.

Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo warned 'the worst forecasts are coming true' as the deadly Atlantic route from West Africa enters its busiest autumn season.

Spain faces fresh controversy after separately returning over a dozen migrants who had made it to Ceuta to Morocco, a move that drew heavy backlash.