Throughout 2024, a total of 26,758 migrants in an irregular situation, representing an 85.1% increase in migration to the islands, which welcomed 12,304 additional people this year.
Until September 15, 2023, a total of 14,454 peoplea figure far away in 2024 when 26,758 migrants have already been registered. The number of ships has also increased, since of the 258 arriving in the archipelago in 2023, they are already 394 to date, an increase of 136 barges, or 52.7% more.
According to the latest report from the Ministry of the Interior, between January 1 and September 15, 2024, a total of 37,970 migrants arrived in Spain through irregular routes, 49.1% more (12,499 more) than in the same months of the previous year, when 25,471 were counted. In addition, 2,514 migrants have arrived in the last fortnight.
The Canary Islands remain main entrance door of these ships, since the islands received 74.5% of the total migrants in Spain via the Canary Islands route.
At the national level, the majority of irregular arrivals so far this year have been recorded by sea. Specifically, a total of 35,882 migrants have arrived by this route aboard 1,122 boats.
Of those who arrived by sea, 26,758 entered through the Canary Islands compared to 14,454 the previous year, which represents an increase of 85.1% (12,304 more people). In the meantime, 9,084 people arrived in the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, 927 fewer (9.3% fewer) than in the same period of 2023.
Similarly, the number of migrants arriving in Ceuta and Melilla by sea has decreased. In total, 19 migrants arrived in Ceuta by this route, 35 fewer than in 2023; and 21, in Melilla, 102 fewer.
Although the number of migrants arriving in Ceuta by land increased, with a total of 2,026, 182.6% more than in the same months of 2023; and the number of migrants arriving in Melilla by land decreased by 44.6%, from 112 in 2023 to 62 this year.
A last canoe with 67 people, including two children
A canoe with 67 migrants on board (awaiting final count on land) was intercepted in the waters of El Hierro on Monday afternoon.
The ship was detected 13 miles southeast of El Hierro, following a phone call from its occupants, so the Tenerife Coordination Center mobilized the sea rescuer Adhara.
After reaching its position, the salvamar located the stopped canoe and proceeded to rescue the 67 people on board, among them a woman and two childrenand transferred them to the La Restinga dock.
