Four migrants die trying to reach Spain's Canary Islands

Spanish rescuers on Thursday said four sub-Saharan African migrants died attempting to reach the Canary Islands, the latest tragedy in a record year of irregular arrivals in the Atlantic archipelago.

The maritime rescue service said a helicopter picked up one dead migrant and a survivor in Moroccan waters 70 nautical miles east of the island of Lanzarote on Wednesday evening.

Later that evening one of its ships took on board 49 migrants from the same zone, which included three dead, four women and a minor, the service added in a statement.

All survivors were transferred to the port of Arrecife on Lanzarote.

The Canary Islands have seen a surge in arrivals due to their proximity to northwestern Africa and the tightening of patrols in the Mediterranean.

More than 41,000 migrants entered the seven islands between January and November, setting a new record for the second consecutive year.

Strong currents and the often ramshackle vessels used by migrants make the crossing perilous. Thousands of people have died attempting it, according to NGOs.