The Spanish island of El Hierro has declared a state of emergency after more than 3,300 migrants arrived by sea in the first week of November, overwhelming local authorities. The sudden influx forced the island’s government to activate the emergency measure on Saturday, November 7, to seek additional support.
Arrivals Shatter Records on Tiny Island
The number of arrivals on El Hierro, an island with a population of about 12,000, has surged dramatically. From the beginning of November, over 3,300 people arrived on approximately 30 boats, according to a report by TASR citing AFP.
This pace of arrivals has brought daily figures close to a record set in November 2021. That record was approximately 1,470 migrants in a single day, as noted by Cadena SER.
In a 24-hour period from Friday, approximately 1,100 migrants arrived on the Canary Islands, the daily total inching closer to that 2021 peak, as reported by Cadena SER. The broader Canary Islands archipelago has also seen a sharp increase. The regional government stated that 3,261 migrants arrived in the first six days of November. This surge has stretched resources to their limit, with Fernando Clavijo describing the situation as absolutely unsustainable.
Hospitals and Shelters Overwhelmed
Local authorities are struggling to provide adequate shelter and medical care for the new arrivals. We are very concerned about this sharp increase in the number of arriving people,
said Alpidio Armas, the head of the island’s administration, in an interview with Spanish television, as relayed by TASR citing AFP.
The conditions at the island’s main hospital are insufficient to handle the current needs, Armas explained, placing a heavy burden on both accommodation facilities and healthcare staff. The island’s government is now actively seeking temporary housing options for the migrants.
Island Seeks Help from Madrid
In its decree declaring the state of emergency, the island’s leadership has formally requested assistance from both the regional government of the Canary Islands and the national government in Madrid. These requests include more personnel for emergency units, including the coast guard, as well as additional healthcare workers and Red Cross staff.
The goal is to secure rotating shifts for exhausted first responders and to manage the large number of new arrivals. The government of El Hierro, which has approximately 12,000 residents, is also attempting to reach an agreement so that other Canary Islands with greater reception center capacities can take in some of the migrants, according to multiple sources.
Migrants Face Storm Risks at Sea
The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the most dangerous migration paths in the world. Migrants undertake the journey on overcrowded vessels, facing strong currents, adverse weather, and vast distances.
The situation is expected to become even more perilous. Local authorities have warned of an approaching storm expected overnight, which would pose a significant risk to migrants still at sea. Two migrants died this week while attempting to reach Spanish territory, highlighting the danger.
Part of a Larger Trend
The recent arrivals are part of a larger migration trend. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), approximately 13,300 migrants have arrived at the Canary Islands from January to October, accounting for over a third of the total 33,000 people who have reached Spain this year, fleeing armed conflicts and adverse economic conditions in Africa.
