Hundreds in the Canary Islands protest against immigration

On July 6, hundreds of protesters marched in the Canaries to protest against the wave of migrants arriving in the Spanish archipelago.

The Canary Islands have become a major destination for migrants from Africa trying to reach Spain. (Source: EP)

Protesters carrying banners such as “Protect our neighbourhoods” and “Stop illegal immigration” took to the streets of cities such as Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Local media reported that the number of participants numbered several hundred.

Located off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands have become an increasingly popular destination for migrants making the dangerous Atlantic crossing in the hope of finding a better life in Europe.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 19,000 migrants have arrived in the Canary Islands.

Spain, along with Italy and Greece, has become the top destination for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. Despite being one of the world’s most dangerous routes, the Atlantic crossing to the Canary Islands has become increasingly popular in recent years as other routes across the Mediterranean have come under increased scrutiny.

According to Spanish Interior Ministry statistics, as of June 30, more than 19,200 migrants had arrived by sea in the Canary Islands on 297 boats, up from more than 7,200 on 150 boats in the same period last year. In 2023, nearly 40,000 migrants arrived on the archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, up from 15,600 in 2022 and a record high.

Last June, the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras reported that in the first five months of 2024, more than 5,000 migrants died trying to reach Spain by sea, or 33 deaths per day. Most of them did not make it to the Canary Islands.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tay-ban-nha-hang-tram-nguoi-o-quan-dao-canary-phan-doi-lan-song-di-cu-277794.html