ARCHIVED - Woman gives birth to healthy baby boy aboard migrant boat off the coast of Almeria

Around 200 people aboard several pateras (small boats) arrived on the shores of the Andalusia province last weekend

A healthy baby boy was born aboard a small immigrant boat off the coast of Almeria on Saturday October 22, just one of several pateras that made the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Andalusia shores last weekend.

Sources from Red Cross Almeria confirmed mother and son were doing fine and were immediately taken to the University Hospital Torrecárdenas de Almería by the 061 emergency service.

"They were part of a family unit and were travelling in the skiff with the father and a minor daughter," explained the Red Cross, adding that the mother and newborn "are in good condition". Their nationality has not been confirmed.

Immediate Emergency Response Teams (ERIE) were kept busy in Almeria at the weekend, providing humanitarian assistance to immigrants rescued from boats at sea or who had made it to the coastline.

Local Red Cross coordinator, Francisco Vicente: "We were activated on 20 occasions to attend to close to 200 people; fortunately they all made it here in good condition. There were women and children inside those boats. The teams remain on alert to attend to the people who need it most on theiir arrival in Almeria."

In other news: The costa del Sol will have flight connections to 119 destinations this winter 2022-23

Image of rescued boat from the air: SASEMAR