INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL MIGRANT ARRIVALS TO THE CANARY ISLANDS

LA RESTINGA, NOVEMBER 6 /SRNA-Reuters/ – Migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands have increased this week, making it increasingly difficult to control the influx, Fernando Clavijo, head of the regional government of the Canary Islands, said.
He said maritime rescue services had rescued 3,261 migrants during the first six days of November.

Clavijo added that the wave of migrant arrivals was approaching the record levels recorded in 2024, with the pace of arrivals exceeding those levels on certain days.

At least nine migrants died off Spain's Canary Islands over the past week, while a seriously ill baby was airlifted to hospital shortly after arriving on one of the islands.

The Atlantic migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the deadliest in the world.

Thousands of migrants undertake this dangerous journey every year in overcrowded boats, attempting to reach Spanish territory despite rough seas, strong currents and long distances.

Attempts to make the crossing usually increase during the autumn months, when sea conditions along the route are calmer and more favourable.

Nevertheless, migrant arrivals fell by almost 61 per cent during the first ten months of this year compared with the same period in 2024.