MADRID — Over the span of two days, more than 550 migrants made the perilous journey to Spain’s Canary Islands via boats, according to reports from Spain’s maritime rescue service. Among those traversing the sea, at least one body was discovered on one of the vessels.
The Canary Islands, located off the northwestern coast of Africa, continue to witness an influx of migrants, primarily from West Africa, who are risking the treacherous Atlantic crossing in makeshift boats. Reports from the Interior Ministry indicate that in the first half of January alone, 3,409 migrants reached Spain by sea, with the vast majority arriving on the islands. This number is comparable to the amount reported during the same timeframe last year.
In 2024, Spain has seen an unprecedented number of individuals attempting to cross illegally by sea, with over 61,000 migrants arriving in boats this year. Nearly 47,000 of those individuals have landed in the Canary Islands, including several thousand unaccompanied minors. The islands are situated approximately 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the nearest point of departure in Africa. However, many migrants opt for longer and more perilous routes to evade detection by security forces, often leading to journeys that can last several days or even weeks. Last year, the majority of those making the journey departed from Mauritania, a location that is at least 473 miles (762 kilometers) away from the nearest Canary Island, El Hierro.
Earlier this month, a report by the Spanish migration rights organization Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) revealed that 50 individuals lost their lives when a boat capsized en route to the Canary Islands, with 44 of the deceased being from Pakistan. In terms of irregular migrations, the European Union’s border surveillance agency, Frontex, noted that overall irregular crossings into the bloc decreased by 38% in 2024. However, the number of migrants traveling along the Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands saw an 18% increase. The agency attributed this rise to more individuals departing from Mauritania, which has become a major launching point for those seeking to reach Europe.
The International Organization for Migration has reported that at least 5,000 migrants have died or gone missing along this dangerous route since it began tracking these incidents in 2014. Meanwhile, Caminando Fronteras claims that the actual death toll is much higher, with over 10,000 individuals reported missing or deceased while attempting to make the crossing last year alone. The organization compiles its statistics using information from the families of migrants and data from rescue operations.
