The Atlantic is once again witnessing an increase in the crossing of people from different parts of Africa who have Spain or other parts of Europe as their destination. Last Saturday, thousands of migrants arrived on the shores of the Canary Islands in precarious boats after undertaking a long and dangerous journey.
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In Spain, the Canary Islands received more than 1,000 migrants in just 24 hours on October 21. From Africa, they took a long journey to reach the Old Continent. Last Saturday’s arrival was divided as follows: 783 people arrived on the island of El Hierro, 98 on Tenerife and 150 on Gran Canaria. Among the passengers who arrived on the Spanish coast were minors.
El Hierro, the westernmost and least populated island of the archipelago, has been the largest recipient of migrants with more than 1,200 people in migratory transit status, when its total population is close to 11,000 inhabitants.
One of the boats transporting the migrants had more than 300 people on board, an unprecedented event according to rescue teams. A wooden boat was the transportation method that set a record for arrivals in a single boat, according to information from the Red Cross, which attended the arrival of the large number of people. A boat with 271 people on board arrived in El Hierro on October 3, this had been the maximum recorded until then.
In the port of Arguineguín, a town in Gran Canaria, wooden boats from former migrant voyages were stranded in the port.
Over time, the seven islands that make up the archipelago have become the main destination for migrants seeking to reach Spain and the rest of Europe. During this year, migratory flows from Senegal and other African countries have increased.
According to official data, between January 1 and October 15 of this year, the Canary Islands received 23,537 migrants, a higher number than last year during the same period of time. Furthermore, the Walking Borders charity reports that so far this year, at least 1,000 people have died trying to undertake this difficult journey.
A million-dollar aid
To address the migration crisis, the Spanish Government is preparing an aid package of more than 50 million dollars. A support that hopes to alleviate the emergency situation caused by an “extraordinary migratory flow”, according to the words of the Spanish Minister of Migration and Social Security, José Luis Escrivá, last Thursday.
The Government’s aid plan will also support more than 4,000 unaccompanied children and adolescents who are in the custody of local authorities.
Starting in October of this year, nearly 4,000 migrants have arrived in the Canary Islands week after week. If this trend continues, the coasts of the archipelago could surpass the record for migrant arrivals set in 2006, when almost 32,000 migrants arrived on the coasts of the Spanish islands.
The situation is also alarming due to the means of transportation used by migrants, who mostly use wooden boats that are not in the best conditions. However, last Thursday 59 migrants were rescued – including a baby – in the port of Arguineguín, in Gran Canaria, when they were crossing the Atlantic in a rubber boat.
Control measures from the other side
This migration crisis is not only in the sights of receiving countries but also at the starting points of the flow of migrants. Last Wednesday, the Senegalese Navy intercepted two boats in poor condition with 338 people on board, including 18 minors.
The Walo patrol intercepted, on Monday October 16, 2023, two pirogues transporting a total of 348 candidates à l’émigration irrégulière dont 30 women, 21 mineurs et 5 nourrissons. Migrants on arrivals from Dakar and remittances to competent services. pic.twitter.com/LoQDWbphza
— Marine nationale sénégalaise (@MarineNation_SN) October 17, 2023
Although there is no information on the destination of the migrants, what is clear is that Senegal is a crucial point in human migrant mobility on the African continent, being both a country of origin and transit for people.
The “Atlantic route” as it is known, had shown an alleged stability and decline during last year and the first half of this year. Despite this, during the European summer of this year the trend stopped and migratory crossings increased starting this October.
At the beginning of last week, the Minister of the Interior of Spain, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, announced that the Government of his country will reinforce the surveillance it carries out on the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania for a month and a half, in collaboration with both countries to prevent the departure of new vessels from Africa.
With Reuters and EFE
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