Moroccan departures fuel Canary Islands migrant surge
Migrant arrivals at Spain’s Canary Islands jumped 159% in two months, with Morocco a key departure point.
Migrant arrivals in Spain’s Canary Islands surged 159% between August 16 and October 15, reaching 4,162 people. This represents a sharp increase from 1,608 arrivals during the same period in 2025, with daily averages rising from 21 to 68. Despite this surge, total arrivals since January remain 33.5% below last year’s levels.
Spanish Interior Ministry figures indicate Morocco is a major departure point for these journeys. Police sources estimate around 60% of boats reaching the islands depart from Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Between September 16 and October 15 alone, 3,378 migrants arrived, a significant acceleration from the previous month.
The Canary Islands’ regional government has requested additional police resources and the deployment of the EU border agency Frontex. Regional officials have warned of mounting pressure on reception facilities, particularly on El Hierro, where several recent arrivals have involved deaths at sea.
Why it mattersMoroccan departures are a main cause of the surge in migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands.