The Diplomat
Since January 1 and until the 15th, a total of 20,898 migrants have arrived irregularly in Spain: 13,616 more people (that is, 187%) than in the same period of 2023 (7,282), according to the latest balance of the Ministry of the Interior, collected by Europa Press.
Most of these people did so by sea, specifically, 19,890, which represents an increase of 186.6% over the same period in 2023 (6,939), and using about 500 vessels, 127 more than the previous year ( 373).
Of the total number of migrants who entered by sea, 16,586 did so through the Canary Islands, 374.6% more (13,091) than in the same period of the previous year, when 3,495 arrived. These have arrived aboard 251 vessels, 213.8% more than in 2023, when 80 arrived.
Meanwhile, 3,303 migrants have arrived in the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands by sea, which is 2.5% less than in 2023, when 3,388 arrived. In this case, they have done so in 248 boats, 12.7% less than last year, when 284 boats arrived on the coasts of the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
In the same period of time, there have been no irregular arrivals of migrants to Ceuta by sea, compared to the same period last year, when 16 people entered via four boats. In the case of Melilla, one person has entered irregularly, 97.5% less compared to the 40 migrants who did so a year ago. However, arrivals by land have increased in both autonomous cities, since a total of 1,008 people entered (997 in Ceuta and 11 in Melilla), 223.7% more than last year, when 308 arrived by this route. and 35 people respectively.
