In its latest update on irregular migration rates, the Spanish Ministry of Interior has revealed that the number of irregular migrants arriving in Spanish territories by sea has increased by 10.3% since the beginning of the year until late August, totaling 18,000 individuals.
According to the same data, which an online newspaper, Hisp Press, obtained a copy of, “The Balearic Islands have become the primary route for migrants arriving through the Moroccan and Algerian coasts, with over 8,000 migrants recorded this year compared to 5,885 migrants last year.”
The same source states that the Canary Islands route, which was traditionally the main route for irregular migrants, has experienced a 4.7% decrease in popularity this year until mid-August, with 9,864 migrants crossing compared to 10,347 last year.”
Regarding overland routes, often part of the European journey from various countries, there has been a significant decline of 42.1%, with only 33 migrants detected this year compared to 57 migrants last year.
As for the occupied city of Melilla, according to the same data, sea crossings through this point have seen a 16.9% increase this year, recording 104 irregular migrants compared to 89 in 2022.
Crossings toward Ceuta and occupied Melilla overland, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry, have notably decreased by 61.8% this year, with only 676 cases compared to 1,769 cases last year. A distinct variation has been observed between the two cities, with a substantial decline of over 92% in Melilla (89 crossings in 2023) compared to an 8.4% decrease in Ceuta (587 crossings in 2023).
In April of the past year, Spanish authorities disclosed a significant 50% drop in migrant numbers since the restoration of coordination between the two countries after the Gibraltar crisis. However, this new increase is attributed, according to Spanish reports, to secret migration networks redirecting towards new entry points such as the Balearic Islands.
