The mayor of Arrecife, on the island of Lanzarote, Yonathan de León, a member of Spain's People's Party, has called for migrants rescued in waters within Morocco's search and rescue zone to be taken to Moroccan ports instead of being brought to the Canary Islands, arguing that «international law mandates this». De León explained that on Thursday, Spanish maritime rescue teams saved 112 migrants, including two minors, even though the boats were reportedly sailing inside the Moroccan search and rescue zone, as defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). According to Spain's maritime rescue service, the operation took place 26 kilometers east of Lanzarote and 37 kilometers southeast of the island, EFE news agency reported. The mayor said that the recorded coordinates of the Spanish vessel Guardamar Polimnia confirmed the boats were within Moroccan waters, adding that «Lanzarote has become one of the islands most affected by the recent influx of migrants». De León urged the Spanish government to «take responsibility», stating: «If Spain wishes to intervene in the Moroccan area, it should also receive these migrants in its ports and cities».
