The Canary Islands are on the brink of breaking their record for the number of undocumented migrants arriving on the islands for the second consecutive year.
By mid-November this year, over 39,000 individuals had made it to the islands, compared to the total of 39,910 who arrived throughout 2023 a figure that itself marked a staggering 154% increase from 2022.
Caminando Fronteras, an NGO, reports that between January and May alone, 4,808 people were lost or died in boats en route to the Canary Islands.
This statistic, representing just under half the year, already accounts for approximately 10% of the total expected arrivals for the entire year leading to the possibility that one in five die in their attempt to reach Spain.
The NGO’s website explains: “Some depart from the beaches of Tan-Tan and Tarfaya, while others travel from Mauritania, Senegal or even Gambia in wooden boats.
“They are faced with a more dangerous ocean, where the risks of drifting off course and experiencing extreme weather conditions are far greater and the journey is much longer.
“The situation is exacerbated by the inadequate search and rescue resources mobilised to look for vessels in distress.”
The UN Refugee Agency revealed that in the first seven months of 2024, 1,542 individuals lost their lives at sea while trying to reach Europe, often in rafts, canoes, and other makeshift vessels.
This has turned Spain’s Atlantic islands into the primary destination for sea arrivals across the EU, as stated by Frontex, due to heightened border security in mainland Africa and other European borders forcing migrants to seek alternative routes.
The overall figures have seen a dramatic surge since 2020 when only 2,000 illegal migrants managed to complete the dangerous crossing, which can take several days depending on the departure point.
This influx has placed a significant burden on the resources of the islands, with authorities grappling to provide sufficient shelter, food, and medical care for the escalating number of migrants.
Smuggling networks are capitalising on the instability in the Sahel region, particularly in Mali, to entice desperate migrants towards Europe.
