Else Beekman
On Friday morning, the serene holiday experience of numerous tourists on a small beach in Gran Canaria was interrupted by a humanitarian crisis. A boat carrying 66 migrants arrived independently on this beach, highlighting the ongoing migration issues in the region. Many of the migrants were in dire condition.
Thirteen of these migrants were hospitalised, with five in critical condition. The boat also had three women and two minors, including a three-month-old baby and a ten-year-old child. The minors, fortunately, are in good health and have been transferred to the Materno Infantil Hospital in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with their guardians. The vessel landed at Playa de Las Burras in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. An area popular with tourists and lined with hotels, apartments, and restaurants.
Health challenges and emergency response
Of the other passengers, two were critically ill and were airlifted to the Insular Hospital. Eleven more required hospitalisation, with three in critical condition and four suffering from serious health issues. The challenging health situation of many migrants necessitated the intervention of the Canary Islands Emergency Service, the Red Cross, and primary care teams from the Canary Islands Health Service.
Additional migrant arrivals
Earlier the same day, the coast guard escorted another boat carrying 145 people to the port of Arguineguín in Mogán. This group consisted of 134 men, eight women, and three minors, all reportedly in good health. This vessel was detected about 15 kilometres southeast of Gran Canaria by the radar of the Integrated External Surveillance System (SIVE).
Surge in irregular migration
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 19,793 people arrived irregularly in the Canary Islands between January 1 – July 15. This represents a 160% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This spike is largely due to the influx of migrants at the beginning of the year. Then, 11,932 arrivals recorded between January and February alone.
Ombudsman calls for action
On Friday, Spanish Ombudsman Ángel Gabilondo visited two migrant centres for minors in Tenerife. He called for “urgent and structural measures” to address the situation of these minors, stressing that this is a nationwide issue. Gabilondo highlighted the need for solidarity and legal reforms to tackle these challenges effectively.
Accompanied by the regional Ombudsman of the Canary Islands, María Dolores Padrón, Gabilondo also emphasised the importance of discussing the relocation of minors rather than their distribution, as the latter conveys a negative message.