CANARY ISLANDS, Spain: The recent sinking of a migrant boat off Spain’s Canary Islands has intensified calls for the government to provide more support to the archipelago, which is struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals from Africa.
The boat, which left from Nouadhibou, Mauritania, was carrying around 90 people when it capsized near El Hierro, leading to a rescue operation that saved 27 lives and recovered nine bodies. Over 50 passengers are still missing and presumed dead, making it one of the deadliest incidents in 30 years of migrant crossings to the region.
This tragedy highlights the growing migration crisis in the Canary Islands, where resources are being overwhelmed, particularly in caring for minors, who account for about 12% of all arrivals. The Canaries’ regional government is urgently seeking help from mainland Spain, advocating for the transfer of underage migrants to other regions to alleviate the burden. However, negotiations between Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government, opposition parties, and regional leaders have stalled due to disagreements over security and funding.
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As migrant arrivals continue to increase, with over 30,000 landing in the Canaries in 2023 alone, immigration has become a top concern for Spanish voters. Despite efforts by the government to curb illegal migration through cooperation with African countries, the dangerous Atlantic route remains a perilous journey for many migrants.
