Number of migrants arriving in Canary Islands jumps by 1,000% in January, officials say

Canary Islands witness a 1,000% increase in migrant arrivals from West Africa in January. Spain records 7,270 irregular migrants, emphasizing the deadly Atlantic route. Rights group reports 6,007 deaths on this migration path in the previous year. The number of migrants from West Africa who embarked on perilous journeys to reach Spain’s Canary Islands jumped more than 1,000% in January from a year ago, data released by the country’s interior ministry on Thursday showed. A total of 7,270 irregular migrants reached the archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, a nearly 13-fold increase from the 566 in the same month in 2023, the ministry said. The chain of islands off Africa’s northwestern coast, one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, was the entry point for 39,910 migrants last year, an all-time record. According to an annual report by rights group Walking Borders, the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands is the deadliest migration route to Spain, as 6,007 people lost their lives during the risky sea voyage last year. Stay connected with Shia Waves News Agency in three languages: Arabic, English, and Persian, daily on Imam Hussein’s media group TVs. ☎️ To share news from your area on Shia Waves, simply send us a voice message via WhatsApp or Telegram at 9647722902299. Get the Imam Hussein TV App for both IOS and Android: 📲 Android and iOS: Don’t miss any updates by subscribing to the Shia Waves YouTube Channel. Be sure to click the notification bell icon. 🛎️ 📺 YouTube Channel: For the latest from Shia Waves, follow us on Instagram: 📷 Instagram: Explore more on the Shia Waves website: 🌐 Website: Join the Shia Waves Telegram Channel for instant updates: 📣 Telegram Channel: For inquiries and communication, reach out to us via email: 📩 Email: news@