A person dies every 45 minutes on the Atlantic crossing to the Archipelago, according to the Canary Islands government spokesperson.
ADVERTISEMENTSpain's Canary Islands have sent a formal invitation to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to experience firsthand what they perceive as an escalating migrant crisis.
Alfonso Cabello, spokesperson for the Government of the Canary Islands, stressed the urgent need for EU involvement in the crisis, following a 126% increase in small boats arriving from Africa compared to last year.
"Europe must look again to its southern border," he said in his letter to von der Leyen. "It cannot remain oblivious. Inaction is contrary to this European identity, which has been shaped as the greatest area of security, freedom and wellbeing."
The presence of the European Commission president would be seen by Canarians "as a symbol of the European Union's commitment to this outermost territory", Cabello added.
As of 15 August, the Canary Islands have recorded 22,300 migrants arriving since the beginning of the year, with even higher numbers expected in the coming months.
Juan Carlos Lorenzo, coordinator of the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), explained that migration routes intensify during the last few months of the year due to favourable navigability conditions.
Deadliest route to Europe
The migrants predominantly come from Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia and Mauritania.
The Atlantic remains the deadliest migratory route, with more than 4,800 deaths reported this year, according to NGO estimates. Cabello emphasised the perilous nature of these journeys, noting that one person dies every 45 minutes on this route.
Migrants risk their lives in these dangerous crossings for various reasons, including severe poverty, lack of opportunities, persecution, and conflict. To address these underlying causes, Lorenzo said that the conversation should extend beyond criminal networks.
Loueila Mint El Mamy, also known as Lala, is a migration lawyer based in Lanzarote. She argues that the focus should shift from containment to facilitating visa access.
Many migrants undertake dangerous journeys due to visa policies and a complex system that favours illegal business interests over humanitarian needs, according to Lala.
The situation is further complicated by the arrival of unaccompanied minors. These children face additional hurdles, as their relocation to other parts of Spain requires approval from those territories.
Currently, the Canary Islands care for over 6,000 minors, with local resources stretched thin. The number of authorised centres has increased from 36 to 81 over the past year, but the strain remains significant.
Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, has called for increased support, asserting that the islands cannot continue to bear the burden alone.
He emphasised the need for effective integration projects for minors and comprehensive policies in migrants' countries of origin to prevent further exodus.
ADVERTISEMENTIn a related effort, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is currently visiting source countries in West Africa to help alleviate the migration crisis.
The visit underscores the tangible impact of the crisis, vividly illustrated by the so-called "canoe cemeteries" that residents of Arinaga in Gran Canaria witness daily.