Over 10,000 Migrants Die or Go Missing on Spain’s Migration Routes in 2024
At least 10,457 migrants died or disappeared while attempting to reach Spain by sea in 2024, marking a 58% increase from 2023 and the highest toll recorded by the NGO Caminando Fronteras since it began tracking in 2007. The report, spanning January 1 to December 5, revealed that 1,538 children and 421 women were among the victims. This equates to an average of 30 deaths per day, up from 18 per day in 2023.
The sharp rise in fatalities is attributed to the use of flimsy boats, increasingly dangerous migration routes, and inadequate maritime rescue operations. “More than 10,400 people dead or missing in a single year is an unacceptable tragedy,” said Helena Maleno, founder of Caminando Fronteras. Most victims hailed from African nations, though others were from Iraq and Pakistan.
The Atlantic migration route to Spain’s Canary Islands accounted for 9,757 fatalities – the vast majority of the deaths. Known for its strong currents and treacherous conditions, this route has seen a record number of migrant arrivals for the second consecutive year. On Christmas Day alone, Spain’s maritime rescue service reported seven migrant boats arriving in the Canary Islands.
Spain, along with Italy and Greece, is one of Europe’s key entry points for migrants. Between January 1 and December 15, 2024, Spain recorded 60,216 irregular migrant arrivals, a 14.5% increase from the previous year. Over 70% of these arrivals occurred in the Canary Islands, underscoring the escalating risks on this perilous route.