Your cart is currently empty!
Number of migrants arriving in Canary Islands by sea set new record in 2024 | Spain
A record 46,843 people reached the Canary Islands illegally in 2024 via the increasingly deadly Atlantic route, the second consecutive year of unprecedented arrival numbers, according to official data.
Last year Spain received 63,970 irregular migrants, the vast majority in the Canaries, up from 56,852 in 2023, the interior ministry said on Thursday.
Spain has moved to the forefront of the EU’s migration crisis as tighter controls in the Mediterranean push more people to attempt the perilous trip from west Africa to the Canary Islands.
The EU border agency, Frontex, has said irregular crossings into the bloc from January to November 2024 fell 40% overall but rose by 19% on the Atlantic route. Mali, Senegal and Morocco accounted for the most common nationalities.
Thursday’s figures confirmed data published in December that showed the record for annual migrant arrivals by boat in the Canary Islands had been broken for the second year running in November.
Last year’s arrivals surpassed the 39,910 migrants who reached the islands by sea in 2023, far beyond the previous record from 2006. The 2024 figure for the whole of Spain was below the record of 64,298 arrivals set in 2018.
A report last week by NGO Caminando Fronteras said at least 10,457 migrants died or disappeared while trying to reach Spain by sea from 1 January to 5 December 2024.
Caminando Fronteras said the death toll was a 50% increase on 2023 and the highest since its tallies began in 2007. It attributed the rise to the use of ramshackle boats, dangerous waters and a lack of resources for rescuers.
In 2024, the Canary Islands saw a record number of migrants arriving by sea, according to recent reports from Spain. The influx of migrants has put a strain on resources and has raised concerns about the ability of the islands to accommodate and support these individuals.
The Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa, have long been a popular destination for migrants seeking to reach Europe. However, the number of arrivals in 2024 has surpassed all previous records, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by both the migrants and the local authorities.
The increase in arrivals has led to overcrowded reception centers and strained resources, with many migrants facing uncertain futures as they wait for their asylum claims to be processed. The surge in arrivals has also raised concerns about the safety and well-being of those making the perilous journey across the sea.
As Spain grapples with the increasing number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands, there is a pressing need for greater support and resources to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved. The situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis at Europe’s borders and the need for a coordinated and compassionate response to address the needs of migrants and refugees.
Tags:
- Migrants arriving in Canary Islands
- Canary Islands migration news
- Spain migrant crisis
- Record number of migrants in Canary Islands
- Canary Islands sea arrivals
- Spain immigration updates
- Canary Islands refugee influx
- Migrant boat arrivals in Spain
- Canary Islands asylum seekers
- Spain refugee crisis 2024
#Number #migrants #arriving #Canary #Islands #sea #set #record #Spain
Leave a Reply