MADRID: The Spanish coastguard conducted a rescue operation off the Canary Islands on Tuesday, saving 84 migrants from a boat that was en route to the archipelago. Tragically, they also discovered the body of a man who had lost his life during the perilous journey.
The boat was spotted during the early hours of Tuesday morning near Gran Canaria island. Among the rescued individuals, only one was a woman. The migrants were safely brought to Arguineguin port on Gran Canaria under the care of Salvamento Maritimo.
According to interior ministry figures from January to July 15, a total of 14,021 migrants entered Spain, with more than half of them, 7,590, arriving via the Canary Islands. These numbers were lower compared to the same period in 2022, showing a 6.5 percent decrease in the overall migrant arrivals to Spain, and an 18.5 percent decrease specifically to the Canary Islands.
Canary Islands Significance for Migrants
The Canary Islands have been a destination sought by migrants looking for better opportunities in Europe. Many of the boats depart from Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and even Senegal. The Atlantic route, however, poses significant dangers due to strong currents. Migrants often travel on overloaded and unseaworthy wooden boats without sufficient drinking water.
In the past, Mediterranean crossings were more common, but increased patrols along Europe’s southern coast have shifted the migrant routes towards the Atlantic. This change has led to a surge in Atlantic crossings, which are known to be more hazardous.
During the first half of 2023, Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras, which aids migrant boats in distress, reported that 778 people lost their lives while attempting to reach the Canary Islands. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released lower figures, with 126 reported dead or missing over the same period.
