Nearly 1,500 migrants reach Spain's Canary Islands in a single day

A record 1,488 migrants reached Spain's Canary Islands in a single day, marking the highest daily arrival figure since 2020, according to a maritime rescue service.

The migrants were rescued from 14 boats with assistance from the Spanish coastguard, news agency EFE reported on Sunday, citing the rescue service.

The previous daily record was set on November 7, 2020, when 1,461 migrants were rescued off the Canary Islands.

Arrivals from West African countries have surged since October, putting additional pressure on reception centres and emergency services across parts of the archipelago, particularly on its smaller and less populated islands.

Although arrivals during the first part of this year were slightly lower than during the same period in 2025, the sharp increase over the past month has raised concerns about the capacity of local facilities.

Authorities said one boat that arrived on Saturday was carrying 240 people, including 12 women and 36 children. They were taken to El Hierro, one of the smaller Canary Islands.

Most of the rescued migrants were nationals of Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Conakry.

A total of 12 boats reached El Hierro, while another arrived in Gran Canaria and one more in Tenerife.

Spain's Minister for Territorial Policy, Angel Victor Torres, was scheduled to visit El Hierro on Sunday to discuss the sudden increase in migrant arrivals.

The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is considered one of the world's most dangerous migration routes. Thousands of people undertake the perilous journey each year in overcrowded boats, crossing rough seas and strong currents in the hope of reaching Spanish territory.

Arrivals along the route typically increase during autumn, when sea conditions are relatively calmer and more favourable for crossings.

According to Spanish government figures, migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands between January 1 and October 31 were 5.5 per cent lower than during the same period last year.

sks