Large Numbers of Migrants Recorded To Have Arrived in Canary Islands, from Senegal

The Canary Islands in Spain has recorded a new number in terms of irregular entries, of over  32,000 migrants who have  embarked on the perilous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to reach the European Union territory this year and majority of these migrants are departing from Senegal. 

These islands, situated close to Africa, have long been utilized as a pathway to Europe, attracting migrants not only from Senegal, but also from Gambia, Mauritania, Morocco, and the Western Sahara.

Spain has experienced a higher number of migrant arrivals in 2023 than during the well-known migration crisis that occurred in 2006. 

According to data from Spain's Interior Ministry and local emergency services, at least 32,029 people have arrived in the country between January 1 and November 5, 2023. This surpasses the previous record of 31,678 migrants who landed in the Canary Islands during the 2006 crisis.

In Senegal, individuals seeking improved prospects in Europe are crammed into old fishing boats by smugglers. Usually, the journey from Senegal to the Canaries spans approximately 1,600 km (1,000 miles) and requires a challenging week of sailing against the wind.

Migrant vessels often encounter accidents or vanish while traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. To evade coastal border checks, smugglers opt for longer routes.

They voyage westward into the open Atlantic before proceeding north towards the Canaries. This diversion has led many migrants to El Hierro island, the westernmost point, sometimes straining local authorities and emergency services.

Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, traveled to Dakar, Senegal last week, to urge the government to take more action in preventing boats from departing due to an unprecedented number of arrivals. He emphasized the need for a quicker response to avoid further loss of life. 

According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 512 individuals have died on this route in 2023, although it is believed that the actual number is higher.

 In collaboration with local authorities, Spain has deployed nearly 40 police and civil guard officers, four boats, a helicopter, and an aircraft in Senegal to monitor the coast and combat smuggling networks. As a result of this joint effort, 7,132 people have been successfully prevented from leaving Senegal this year.