Gambiaj.com – (El Hierro, Canary Islands) – A large canoe from The Gambia carrying 207 migrants arrived on Monday at the port of La Restinga, highlighting a sharp spike in migrant arrivals from The Gambia and neighboring West African countries. The canoe and its passengers had a six-day journey from the port of Banjul, underscoring the growing flow of migration to the Spanish archipelago as individuals seek refuge and opportunity, braving the perilous Atlantic crossing.
The migrants, who hailed from The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry, were received by emergency and health teams stationed at the Herreño port. The Red Cross Immediate Emergency Response Team (ERIE), SUC, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Civil Guard and National Police, were mobilized to provide immediate support. Notably, no one from the group required hospital transfer, signaling a fortunate outcome in a journey often marred by life-threatening conditions.
According to officials, the group included 19 minors and 10 women among the predominantly male passengers. Following their initial medical assessments and care, the crew members were transferred to the Temporary Care Center for Foreigners (CATE) in San Andrés, Valverde, where they were attended by humanitarian organizations such as Ebrima Sonko’s NGO, “Orange Heart.” They will remain under police supervision until they can be relocated to other facilities off the island.
This incident comes on the heels of another significant arrival just a week prior, when Gran Canaria witnessed the largest recorded migrant canoe landing in its history. That vessel carried 231 people, including 58 minors, who endured an 11-day journey from The Gambia. Despite severe exhaustion and dehydration from their extended time at sea, most were found to be in stable condition upon reaching land. Only three required hospitalization for minor ailments linked to their crossing.
The increase in such voyages has drawn attention to the desperate circumstances driving migration and the substantial risks involved. While many manage to survive the arduous passage, the journey often exposes them to harsh conditions, limited resources, and potential maritime dangers.
Local authorities and aid organizations have continued to coordinate responses to ensure humanitarian assistance is available to those who land on the Canary Islands’ shores. These arrivals underline an ongoing crisis that compels many from sub-Saharan Africa, particularly from The Gambia, to pursue perilous routes in search of safety and stability. The situation reflects broader trends in migration and the persistent challenges faced by countries along these transatlantic routes.
