Spain’s Canary Islands see highest single-day migrant arrivals since 2020
Babushahi Bureau
Madrid (Spain), November 15, 2026: Spanish maritime rescue services rescued 1,488 migrants from 14 boats near the Canary Islands on Saturday, marking the highest number of arrivals in a single day since November 2020, according to the EFE news agency.
The latest arrivals continue a rise in migration from West African countries to the Spanish archipelago since October.
The previous single-day record was 1,461 people rescued on November 7, 2020, maritime rescue services said.
Of the 14 boats intercepted on Saturday, 12 reached El Hierro, one arrived in Gran Canaria and another in Tenerife. El Hierro, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, received the largest number of rescued migrants.
One of the boats was carrying 240 people, including 12 women and 36 children. Most of those rescued were from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Conakry. Spain’s Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres was scheduled to visit El Hierro on Sunday to discuss the increase in arrivals.
Although migrant arrivals between January and October 31 were 5.5 per cent lower than during the corresponding period last year, the recent surge has put additional pressure on reception and emergency services, particularly on smaller islands.
The Atlantic crossing from West Africa to the Canary Islands is considered one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes. Thousands attempt the journey each year in overcrowded boats, facing long distances, rough seas and strong currents.
Arrivals generally increase during autumn, when sea conditions are relatively more favourable for the crossing.