The Canary Islands, a Spanish territory located in the Atlantic Ocean, have become the epicenter of an escalating migration crisis in 2024. According to Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, 41,425 people have reached the archipelago in makeshift boats from West Africa, a record-breaking number that surpasses figures from any other year in recent history. However, this surge has been accompanied by a tragic increase in deaths, highlighting the extreme risks faced by migrants during their journey.
The migration route connecting West Africa to the Canary Islands is considered one of the deadliest in the world. The vessels used by migrants—often inflatable rafts or poorly equipped wooden boats—must navigate rough seas, unpredictable weather, and routes that can take weeks to complete. These vulnerabilities make the crossing especially dangerous.
Between January and October 2024, at least 891 people died or went missing while attempting to reach the islands. This alarming figure underscores a harsh reality: those seeking a better life often face hunger, thirst, severe dehydration, and hypothermia along the way, not to mention the dangers of shipwrecks in open waters.
The chief pathologist of El Hierro, one of the islands in the archipelago, has pointed to the extreme conditions endured by migrants as the primary causes of death. According to him, the weakened state in which many arrive at the shores reflects the harsh vulnerabilities faced during their journey, exacerbated by overcrowding and inadequate provisions on the vessels.
While many European countries have managed to reduce the flow of irregular migrants since the peak of the migration crisis in 2015, the Canary Islands have experienced the opposite trend. According to Frontex, the European Union’s border agency, the archipelago recorded the fastest growth in irregular migration within the EU between January and October 2024. This represents a 12% increase in the number of migrants compared to the same period in the previous year.
This growing influx has tested the capacity of local authorities and humanitarian organizations to provide adequate support for the newcomers. Many arrive in critical health conditions, requiring emergency medical care, while reception centers struggle with overcrowding. The impact of this crisis extends beyond reception services, affecting local communities faced with an unprecedented humanitarian dilemma.
El Hierro, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, has become a poignant symbol of the migration tragedy. In 2024, 33 migrant bodies were buried on the island, a significant increase from the 11 burials recorded in 2023. Many of these bodies remain unidentified, posing an additional challenge for authorities and leaving a painful void for families awaiting news.
Among the most moving cases is that of Bathie Barry, a young man who died on October 26, 2024, shortly after landing on the island. His death mobilized local residents, who organized a memorial ceremony in his honor, symbolizing solidarity and respect for the lives lost. “This is not just about religion or faith; it’s about humanization,” said Haridian Marichal, a journalist and volunteer who frequently organizes funerals for unknown migrants.
Additionally, one of the deadliest shipwrecks in the history of the Canary Islands occurred in September this year. Of the 84 people aboard a vessel, only 27 survived. The bodies of nine victims were recovered and buried in El Hierro, seven of whom remain unidentified. “We are constantly dealing with a puzzle,” said Haridian, who dedicates himself to connecting families with missing loved ones.
The ongoing tragedy has also inspired moving acts of solidarity. Local residents, such as Dutch artist Joke, have paid symbolic tributes to the victims. During one ceremony, Joke brought a paper boat adorned with flowers, symbolizing the fragility of the vessels used by migrants and the shattered dreams of those who did not survive the journey.
Despite the gestures of solidarity, the stories behind these losses remain deeply painful. Andrea García Borja, interim coordinator of the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, highlighted the challenges in identifying bodies. “Many disappear in international waters or cross multiple borders, making the identification process extremely difficult,” she explained.
While the total number of irregular migrants in Europe has significantly decreased since 2015, the Canary Islands face mounting pressure. The archipelago’s geographical position, close to the African coast, makes it a preferred destination for those seeking to escape precarious economic and political conditions in their home countries.
The crisis in the Canary Islands raises urgent questions about the European Union’s migration policies. While some EU countries adopt restrictive measures to limit migrant entry, experts and humanitarian organizations emphasize the need to create safe and legal routes to reduce the risks of dangerous crossings. The Atlantic route, in particular, remains a grim reflection of the desperation faced by thousands seeking safety and dignity.
With arrivals still on the rise and the death toll increasing, the migration crisis in the Canary Islands is not just a local challenge but a global humanitarian issue demanding immediate attention and action. Each arriving boat carries not only passengers but also stories of struggle, courage, and tragedy—a reminder of the human cost of current migration policies.
The situation in the Canary Islands is a stark reflection of deep global inequalities and the failures of migration policies that continue to put lives at risk. Every migrant embarking on such a perilous journey carries dreams of safety and opportunity but often encounters a system that responds with barriers, precariousness, and neglect.
The growing pressure on the archipelago highlights the urgent need for a coordinated and humanitarian approach to migration. Governments, international organizations, and local communities must unite efforts to create safe and legal routes, expand reception resources, and ensure that those risking everything for a new life are treated with dignity and respect.
At the same time, addressing the structural causes of forced migration is essential by investing in sustainable development and stability in migrants’ countries of origin. Without these actions, the Canary Islands and other border regions will continue to witness preventable tragedies, where lives are lost and families are left in grief and uncertainty.
More than statistics or logistical challenges, the crisis in the Canary Islands is, above all, a crisis of humanity. Only through compassion, solidarity, and effective policies can this scene of suffering be transformed into a future of hope and opportunity for all.
