Off the coast of Africa, an unprecedented event took place when a boat carrying nearly 300 migrants of sub-Saharan origin arrived on the Canary archipelago. This arrival marks a record in terms of the number of passengers on board a single boat.
Sea rescue reported that all migrants were alive and were immediately treated upon arrival. However, this migratory wave raises concerns about the ability of the Canaries to cope with such a massive influx of migrants.
Spain, and in particular the Canary Islands, has become one of the main gateways for illegal migrants into Europe. During the first nine months of the year, almost 15,000 migrants arrived in the archipelago, an increase of almost 20% compared to the same period the previous year.
The migration route to the Canaries has become increasingly busy due to the strengthening of controls in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, this perilous crossing regularly leads to shipwrecks and numerous deaths. NGOs estimate that dozens, even hundreds of migrants have died at sea in recent months.
Faced with this alarming situation, it is imperative that the Spanish and European authorities strengthen their actions to avoid new tragedies at sea. Measures must be taken to improve the living conditions of migrants in their countries of origin and to effectively fight against the trafficking networks that exploit their desperation.
In conclusion, the arrival of this boat with a record number of migrants on the Canaries highlights the persistent migration crisis in Europe. It is time for governments to take concrete steps to address this situation in a humane and coordinated manner, in order to avoid further tragedies at sea and guarantee decent living conditions for migrants.