Spain’s Civil Guard has issued a warning about an unprecedented surge in illegal migration to the Canary Islands, with numbers nearing record highs. According to a report obtained by La Gaceta, the influx of migrants is expected to worsen in the latter half of August, potentially surpassing the 30,000 mark for the year.
In July alone, 2,200 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands, marking the highest monthly total for that month since 2006. The report suggests that the situation will continue to escalate as weather and maritime conditions improve, making the journey to the Canary Islands more feasible for those attempting the dangerous crossing.
The report indicates that August typically sees higher migrant arrivals compared to July, and this trend is likely to continue in 2024. As of now, the majority of arrivals are adult men, who make up 85% of the total. Adult women account for only 7%, while minors, mostly male, make up 8% of the arrivals.
Last year, the Canary Islands witnessed a record 39,910 illegal migrant arrivals, a dramatic increase of 154.5% from previous years. This surge comes despite the perilous nature of the Atlantic crossing from North Africa. Between 2018 and 2022, an estimated 7,800 people lost their lives or went missing during the journey, according to estimates by a Spanish NGO.