Four migrants from sub-Saharan Africa died while attempting to reach the Canary Islands, marking yet another tragedy in a year of record-high irregular arrivals to the Atlantic archipelago. Despite the risks, the Atlantic route remains a popular option for migrants, as it is typically less heavily monitored than Mediterranean crossings.
Four migrants from sub-Saharan Africa lost their lives while attempting to reach the Canary Islands, Spanish rescuers reported on Thursday (December 19).
According to the maritime rescue service, a helicopter retrieved one deceased migrant and a survivor from Moroccan waters, approximately 70 nautical miles east of Lanzarote, on Wednesday evening. Later that night, a rescue vessel brought aboard 49 migrants from the same area, including three deceased individuals, as well as four women, and a minor, the service said in a statement.
All survivors were transported to the port of Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote.
More than 40,000 migrants have arrived on the Canary Islands in 2024, with El Hierro alone receiving nearly 20,000 — about half the total arrivals, according to the humanitarian organization the Red Cross.
The archipelago has experienced a sharp increase in arrivals, driven by their close proximity to northwestern Africa and stricter patrols in the Mediterranean.
The Spanish Interior Ministry reports that 41,425 migrants arrived on the Canary Islands between January and November 2024, surpassing last year’s total of 39,910 and marking a record high for the second consecutive year.
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Atlantic migration route – one of the world's deadliest
The unstable boats often used by migrants, including fishing kayaks and dinghies, are ill-equipped to withstand the rough seas and strong currents of the Atlantic route, which spans waters between West Africa and the Canary Islands.
The latest available data shows that the number of people going missing or dying during the crossing is growing five times faster than the number of those who make it safely, news agency Reuters reported.
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Local authorities in the Canary Islands have raised concerns over struggles to accommodate migrant sea arrivals, particularly unaccompanied minors who require specialized care.
With Reuters and AFP