The Diplomat
A total of 16,156 migrants have arrived irregularly in Spain so far this year, 11,869 more than in the same period in 2023 (4,287), which represents an increase of 276.9%, according to the latest balance sheet from the Ministry of Interior published yesterday.
Specifically, from January 1 to March 31, 15,351 migrants entered by sea, 277.5% more than in the same period in 2023 (4,067). They did so through 353 vessels, 119 more than the previous year.
Of the total number of people who arrived in Spain irregularly, from January to March 31, 13,115 arrived in the Canary Islands, when in the same period of the previous year only 2,178 arrived, so the increase was 10,937 people, 502.2%, reports Europa Press. The arrival occurred aboard 201 vessels, 150 more than in the same period of 2023 (51).
Meanwhile, 2,235 migrants entered the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands by sea, which is 21.4% more than in 2023, when 1,841 arrived. In this case, they did so in 151 vessels, 25 less than until March 31 of last year (176).
On the other hand, from January 1 to March 31, there were no irregular arrivals of migrants to Ceuta by sea, unlike last year, when 16 had already occurred. In the case of Melilla, only one person arrived. , 31 less than last year. However, arrivals by land to both cities increased, with 805 migrants, 585 more than in the same period in 2023 (798 to Ceuta and seven to Melilla).
