Yesterday, an overcrowded maritime vessel with 231 individuals onboard, including 58 minors, arrived in the Canary Islands; setting a new record for the island of Gran Canaria. This boat, referred to as a cayuco, had spent 11 taxing days at sea before it could safely dock. Immigrants aboard the cayuco came notably from Gambia, Senegal, Mali, and Guinea; they received immediate medical treatment right after they set foot on land due to the severity of this relentless journey.
Unfortunately, the health of three individuals was significantly compromised, warranting immediate hospitalization. The Spanish Coast Guard initially spotted the cayuco when it was approximately 5.5 kilometers away from the coast, off Arguineguín. A rescue vessel was dispatched at once, however the migrant boat managed to make it to the shore unaided.
The vessel now holds the record for the largest migrant boat to arrive at Gran Canaria. However, the Red Cross clarifies that it does not hold the record for the largest ever to dock at the Canary Islands. Other boats, notably larger, have in the past arrived at El Hierro, with the major standing record being a single boat which carried 330 people to the island last year.
Such arrivals exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis currently taking its toll on the Canary Islands. The area has been grappling with the overwhelming influx of migrants over the past year, putting community resources to the test. It appears that the vessel had endured a journey fraught with danger, but luckily, those on board all survived to reach their destination.
The maritime journey to the Canary Islands is often fraught with danger, and not all migrants manage to reach their destination alive. Just a month ago, a shocking incident unfolded where a boat turned over and caused the loss of at least nine lives. It happened during a rescue operation off the Canary Islands’ coast, and unfortunate circumstances left many more migrants missing.
Rescue services performed a commendable job and managed to salvage 27 lives from the capsized migrant vessel near the island of El Hierro. This event further highlighted the high risks that these courageous migrants have to brave in their desperate pursuit of a better life.
The figures related to migrations to this region are sobering. As of mid-September, an estimated 26,758 migrants had made it to the Canary Islands in 2024, showing a substantial 85.1% increase over last year. Predictions suggest that this figure will likely surpass double the previous year’s count by the turn of the year.
The influx of migrants into the Canary Islands and subsequently Spain has led to a significant crisis. The prime challenge present is figuring out the appropriate reception and integration of these new arrivals. The rise in numbers has certainly necessitated greater dedication and resources from the Spanish authorities.
One proposition was to transform Ciudad Real Airport, situated approximately 200 kilometers south of Madrid in Castilla-La Mancha, into a migrant reception center. This idea was put forth as a potential means to manage the escalating numbers of migrants seeking shelter.
The local mayor, Francisco Cañizar, has vehemently opposed this proposal. According to him, the suggested approach treated the reception center in question akin to a ‘concentration camp’, which he considers unacceptable. He contends that this strategy wouldn’t uphold the humanitarian standards necessary for the people arriving in these circumstances.
The crisis unfolding in the Canary Islands starkly highlights the increasing need for collaborative international efforts in managing and supporting migrant populations. Despite the proposed solutions and measures, the situation demands more than local resources can possibly deliver.
Each migrant journey signifies a desperate plea for a brighter future, leading them down a dangerous path to potential security. The growing humanitarian crisis combined with local reactions calls for emphasis on maintaining dignity and providing necessary support for the new arrivals during this challenging phase.