Over 1000 migrants from sub-Saharan countries have arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands on 18 boats in the past three days.
One body was discovered aboard the boat.
This surge in arrivals is part of a recent trend, with 7,270 migrants reaching the islands in the Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa, in January alone.
This number is comparable to the total for the first half of 2023.
Most of these boats originate from Mauritania, prompting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to plan a visit to the neighbouring country to urge authorities to address the issue.
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Despite cooperation agreements between Spain, the European Union, Mauritania, and Senegal to reduce migrant arrivals, many individuals, particularly young people, continue to embark on the perilous journey due to limited opportunities and instability in their home countries.
According to Spain’s interior ministry, a record-breaking 55,618 migrants arrived by boat in the Canary Islands in 2023, nearly double the previous year’s figure.
Additionally, the Spanish non-profit organization Caminando Fronteras reported a staggering increase in migrant deaths during the journey, with over 6,600 fatalities recorded last year, predominantly along the Atlantic route.
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This number is more than double what was reported in 2022, as documented by Caminando Fronteras through a compilation of data from migrant families and rescue operations.
While, the Canary Islands remain a destination extremely beloved by tourists, attracting 95.7 million tourist in 2023, there has already been a trend seeing a drop in the number of visitors.
This is a 2.3 percent drop in overnight stays from 97.9 million in 2019.
