Numbers of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands by boat are double this year than in 2020

As of September 15^th, according to data provided by the Ministry of the Interior in its biweekly review, the number of irregular migrants entering Spain by boats so far this year was 22,564 of which 11,160 have come to the Canary Islands, which is more than double the number of the same period in 2020. This means there has been a 117.3% increase compared to the same period of last year, when 5,190 had arrived.

Overall, the arrival of 22,564 people on the Spanish coast in 1,384 boats represents an increase of 57.5% compared to the same period in 2020, when 14,327 arrived in 937 boats. 11,160 people have arrived on Canary coasts in 288 boats, 5,970 more than last year when they arrived in 181 boats.

The influx of irregular immigrants by sea to the mainland and the Balearic Islands has also grown: 18.6% more than a year ago, with a total of 10,701 people, 1,680 more in 2020.

However, the worst thing is that, the International Organization for Migrations (IOM), have declared that 785 people have either died or are reported missing on the Canary route from Africa to the archipelago, of which 379 of them were during August, but the NGO Caminando Fronteras says this figure is closer to 2,000 deaths.

A few days ago the largest influx of the year was recorded with almost 400 migrants arriving in just 24 hours, and two more boats were intercepted last night in the south of Gran Canaria which raised the total of immigrants arriving on the islands yesterday to 308, including 51 women and fifteen children, according to data provided by Maritime Rescue and the Red Cross.

In fact, in the last three days, there has been a significant upturn, with the arrival of 917 people in 25 boats: 392 on Tuesday (the highest number in a single day so far this year), 225 on Wednesday and 308 yesterday, and numbers are set to increase as they are waiting for the calm season when sea conditions make the journey easier to survive.