On El Hierro, nearly 1,600 migrants arrive in Spain’s Canary Islands aboard fishing boats
Arrivals concentrated on El Hierro
Spanish news agency EFE reported Sunday that nearly 1,600 migrants arrived on the Canary Islands in a day, citing figures from the government’s Maritime Safety and Rescue Society. Most of the 1,580 who came ashore Saturday landed on El Hierro, traveling in 15 wooden fishing boats.
The majority came from West African countries, including Senegal, Gambia and Guinea. Spanish authorities said more than 2,300 migrants arrived across the islands between Friday and Saturday.
Island residents face pressure
The Canary Islands lie around 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, from Africa at their closest point and are facing a migration crisis. El Hierro has nearly 12,000 residents.
Spanish Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres Perez visited La Restinga, at El Hierro’s southern tip, on Sunday. She met residents and thanked them for “their solidarity and commitment,” according to her remarks.
Government response and wider context
Torres Perez said on X that Spain’s government was working to manage the increase humanely while considering island residents. Despite the weekend arrivals, migration to the islands fell 5.5% from January through October 31 compared with the same period last year.
The recent surge follows a crisis in Ceuta in late July, when an estimated 80,000 people, mostly young Moroccan men, crossed from neighboring Morocco. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced opposition criticism over his handling of that crisis. Migration and housing are expected to be prominent issues for voters in Spain’s snap elections later this month.
Key points
- Most of Saturday’s 1,580 arrivals landed on El Hierro in 15 boats.
- More than 2,300 migrants reached the islands between Friday and Saturday.
- Overall arrivals from January through October 31 were down 5.5% year over year.
- Migration and housing are expected to feature in Spain’s snap elections later this month.