The Atlantic route migrants and refugees take to reach Europe is deadly and largely unknown to people, founder of a Spanish NGO has warned. Oscar Camps, founder and director of the Spanish NGO Open Arms, said that compared to the Central Mediterranean route, the Atlantic one is “a much deadlier and harder one, longer and unknown to many”. When taking the Atlantic route, migrants travel from West African countries, such as Senegal and Mauritania, to the Canary Islands of Spain. This involves extreme weather, strong currents, and heavy tides, making it the “most lethal” migratory route in the world, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras.
The route accounted for 93% of recorded victims that tried to reach Spain via maritime routes in 2024, Caminando Fronteras reported. Approximately 70% of the victims had departed from Mauritania. Last week, at least 69 people died after a vessel carrying dozens of migrants capsized off the coast of Mauritania. In July last year, 89 migrants and refugees bound for Europe died taking a similar route. The wooden boats used by smugglers are ill-suited for long journeys, which can cover over 1,000 kilometres and sometimes take several days or even weeks. These vessels are often severely overcrowded and carry little to no food or supplies.
The warning from Camps comes following the announcement that the NGO’s migrant rescue ship will be in the Canary Islands for two months to raise awareness about the situation of migrants on the Atlantic route.
He said: “Behind every person that flees there is not only a conflict, devastated territory, but also a chain of economic and political decisions that placed many people in an impossible place. No one gets onto an overcrowded, fragile boat with their family if staying on land is the safer choice.”
Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s far-right political party Vox, urged on social media to “sink” the Open Arms rescue ship, which has been docked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
In a response, Camps said: “Being attacked by the enemies of the world is a medal of honour. We are here. Here we will continue – against fear and against hatred.”
Officials on the Canary Islands have demanded a state of emergency to combat the growing number of migrants and refugees arriving in Spain. Between January 1, to May 15, 10,882 people have reached the Canaries via maritime routes, many including young children. Government officials said the number of unaccompanied minors has reached almost three times the official capacity. They also admitted they are struggling to keep them all safe due to the volume of those arriving.