SAN BARTOLOME DE TIRAJANA, Spain – A scene of relief and exhaustion unfolded on a beach in Spain’s Canary Islands on Friday, as dozens of migrants emerged from a perilous journey across the Atlantic. The wooden boat, carrying 64 people, arrived at Las Burras beach on Gran Canaria unassisted. Emergency personnel rushed to the scene, finding many migrants weak and dehydrated.

The arrival highlights a surge in dangerous sea crossings from Africa. Eleven migrants, four in critical condition, were evacuated to hospitals, some by helicopter. This incident reflects a broader trend – irregular arrivals by sea to the Canary Islands have skyrocketed by 160% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.

The beach, lined with tourist hotels, presented a stark contrast to the migrants’ ordeal. Some collapsed on the sand, utterly drained. Others struggled to walk. As medical personnel distributed foil blankets and assessed the situation, a poignant image emerged: a police officer cradled a young child while a woman nearby received medical attention.

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Beachgoers, including children, witnessed the scene firsthand. One tourist, moved by the sight, offered a water bottle to a weary migrant.

Data from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, confirms the Canary Islands route as Europe’s fastest-growing migration path. Irregular arrivals from Africa have surged a staggering 303% between January and May of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

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