The Canary Islands have long been the primary gateway for undocumented migrants from Africa seeking to enter Spain, but now the Balearic Islands and Costa Blanca are also experiencing a significant increase in migrant arrivals.
This week marks 30 years since the first migrant boat, or “patera,” arrived in the Canary Islands. Over the past three decades, nearly 230,000 migrants have reached the islands. This makes the Canary route the most trafficked and dangerous in Spain. Tragically, an estimated 21,000 people have lost their lives attempting the journey.
In recent years, the situation has escalated, with nearly 125,000 migrants arriving in the last four years alone. That is 55% of all arrivals over the past 30 years. The regional government predicts that as many as 70,000 migrants could arrive this year, with 23,500 already making the journey by the end of August. The upcoming “calmas” season, characterised by calm seas, is expected to lead to even more mass departures from Africa.
While the Canary Islands’ infrastructure has improved, allowing for quicker transfers of adult migrants to mainland Spain, the situation for unaccompanied minors remains critical. The Canary government is currently responsible for 5,200 minors, far exceeding the region’s capacity of 2,000. Despite efforts to provide shelter and care, the system is stretched to its limits, with calls for other regions in Spain to share the burden.
Balearic Islands: A new migrant route
The Balearic Islands have also become a focal point in Spain’s migrant crisis. Since the arrival of the first migrant boat over 15 years ago, the islands have seen a steady increase in arrivals. This year alone, 174 boats carrying approximately 2,300 people have reached the islands, primarily Formentera and Ibiza. The central government has been reluctant to recognise this as a new migration route, but the numbers tell a different story.
The majority of migrants arriving in the Balearics are from Algeria. Many of those view the islands as a temporary stopover before continuing to mainland Spain and then on to France or Belgium. However, the growing number of unaccompanied minors has prompted the local government to seek additional support. The Bishopric of Mallorca has even offered to find spaces to accommodate these children, as the island’s resources are increasingly strained.
Costa Blanca: A long-standing migration route
The Costa Blanca, particularly the Alicante region, has a long history of migration. Routes between Algeria and Spain were established decades ago. While the route has primarily been used for commercial purposes, the diplomatic fallout over Spain’s stance on Western Sahara has led to a resurgence in migrant crossings. In recent months, boats have been departing from Oran, Algeria. Furthermore, from other Algerian cities like Mostaganem and Cherchell, heading towards Almería, Murcia, Alicante, and the Balearic Islands.
Spanish authorities have recently intensified their crackdown on illegal migration networks. This month, the National Police dismantled a criminal organisation that had facilitated the clandestine entry of around 1,000 Syrian and Algerian migrants into Spain through Almería. The network charged up to €20,000 per person to secure passage to other European countries.
The human cost
The migration crisis has a significant human cost, with many lives lost along the way. According to the human rights organisation Caminando Fronteras, over 1,500 people died or went missing on the Algerian maritime route between 2018 and 2022. The testimonies of survivors reveal the desperation driving these dangerous journeys, with many fleeing social and political instability, and others, including women and children, escaping violence and seeking a better life.