Over 10,000 migrants died on the way to Spain in 2024!

Over 10,000 migrants died on the way to Spain in 2024!

Over 10,000 migrants died on the way to Spain this year - a frightening balance that illustrates the extent of the tragedy!

In a shocking report, the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) revealed that more than 10,000 migrants have lost their lives this year to achieve Spain. This is the highest number since the start of the records in 2007!

Imagine: On average, 30 people died per day on the dangerous trip across the sea! These alarming numbers show how desperately many people are who break from West Africa to reach the Canary Islands - a dangerous first step towards Europe.

The fatal journey via the Atlantic

The NGO reports that most of the 10,457 deaths documented by December 15th took place on the notorious Atlantic route. This route is considered one of the most dangerous in the world, and the increase in deaths by 58 percent compared to the previous year is a clear sign of the catastrophic conditions under which the migrants have to travel.

The reports are terrifying: 1,538 children and 421 women are among the victims. The months of April and May are particularly tragic, which were identified as the deadliest months. The organization blames the use of dilapidated and the increasingly dangerous routes, which are still tightened by the insufficient capacity of the sea rescue services.

Helena Maleno, the founder of Caminando Fronteras, expressed herself: "These numbers are proof of a profound failure of the rescue and protection systems. More than 10,400 dead or missing in a single year are an unacceptable tragedy!"

The background of migration

The migrants come from 28 different countries, especially from Africa, but also from Iraq and Pakistan. Many of them experience violence, discrimination and extreme living conditions before they leave. The NGO reports on a "drastic increase" of the boats, which made Mauritania in 2024, which developed into the main departure place on the way to the Canary Islands.

On Wednesday, Christmas Day, seven migrant boats landed on the Canary Islands, as the Spanish sea rescue service announced on social media. In February, Spain promised 210 million euros in help for Mauritania to combat human trafficking and prevent the boats.

The Canary Islands are only 100 kilometers from the North African coast at its next point. The shortest route leads from the coastal city of Tarfaya in South Morocco to the island of Fuerteventura. But the Atlantic route is particularly dangerous because of the strong currents that make the crossing a real gambling.