Number of illegal migrants arriving in Spain falls

The Interior Ministry says the number of illegal immigrants risking their lives in rickety boats to reach Spain's Canary Islands from northwest Africa has descended to levels last seen a decade ago.

In 2009, a total of 2,041 adults arrived in the islands or were rescued as they sailed toward them, a ministry spokeswoman said.

The number of immigrants began to shoot up in 2002, when 9,929 arrived, and peaked in 2006 when 31,859 had to be housed, the spokeswoman said Saturday on condition of anonymity in keeping with government rules.

More than 96,116 people have sought shelter on the islands since 1994.

The recession, which has caused unemployment in Spain to ascend to nearly 18 percent, along with coastal patrols, have helped slow immigration.