Canary Islands Sees 1% Drop in West African Sea Arrivals, OCHA Reports

Between April and May 2026, the Canary Islands recorded 1,544 sea‑borne arrivals from West Africa, a 1 percent decline from the 1,559 arrivals in the same period in 2025, according to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. The West African Atlantic Route, still the main corridor for migrants from Senegal, Morocco, Mauritania and The Gambia, remains active. During the reporting window, community focal points logged 32 events, including eight departures and one canoe sighted on the high seas, carrying 1,475 migrants. An additional 880 migrants were noted in departure preparations, and six recruitment cases were documented. The OCHA monitoring tool continues to track movements and incidents, providing data for authorities to adjust maritime security and humanitarian responses.