The Canary Islands have seen a new wave of migrant arrivals, with around 780 people reaching the archipelago in recent days.
Local authorities reported that the migrants, including 36 minors and 86 women, arrived on ten boats near Lanzarote and El Hierro. Spain’s sea rescue agency confirmed rescuing 84 people, while another boat carrying 61 migrants was found early Wednesday.
This influx follows a record-breaking year in 2024, when over 43,000 migrants landed in the Canary Islands, surpassing the 2006 “Cayuco crisis.” Total irregular arrivals on Spanish shores reached nearly 64,000, marking a 12.5% increase from 2023.
The sudden arrivals have strained local resources, with temporary housing set up in Lanzarote’s port to accommodate the migrants.
The European Union continues to debate stricter migration policies, with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposing accelerated asylum seeker returns and detention centers in third countries. Spain has also opened an emergency reception center to handle asylum requests and highlighted the urgent need for better care for unaccompanied minors.
