In a heartbreaking report, Spanish migration rights group Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) reveals that over 10,000 migrants lost their lives in the treacherous waters while trying to reach Spain in 2024. This staggering number represents a 58% increase in deaths compared to the previous year, underscoring the perilous journey many undertake in search of safety and opportunity.
According to Caminando Fronteras, 9,757 of these deaths occurred along the Atlantic route, a deadly passage connecting Western Africa, particularly Mauritania, to Spain’s Canary Islands. The Canary Islands have increasingly become a critical entry point to Europe, and despite efforts to curb human trafficking, the region remains one of the most dangerous migratory paths in the world. The Mediterranean route also accounted for 700 fatalities, further contributing to the grim toll.
The report, published on December 26, 2024, highlights the harrowing details of the migrant crisis, noting that 1,538 children and 421 women were among the victims. The months of April and May were identified as particularly deadly, as the flow of migrants surged during the spring. Mauritania, which saw a sharp increase in boats departing for the Canary Islands, emerged as a significant source of migrants, prompting Spain to pledge €210 million in aid to the country to combat human trafficking and prevent further boat departures.
While Caminando Fronteras’ death toll figures are significantly higher than those reported by other organizations, such as the Missing Migrants Project (MMP), they underscore the severe challenges in collecting accurate data on migrant deaths. The discrepancies in reporting stem from differences in data collection methods, with many groups facing difficulties in gathering information due to factors like the region’s complex linguistic landscape and low levels of digitalization.
Despite these challenges, Caminando Fronteras continues to advocate for the rights of migrant families, many of whom face significant obstacles when trying to report deaths and missing persons. The report calls attention to the need for better data collection, more effective migration policies, and greater support for migrant communities as the humanitarian crisis at sea continues to worsen.
The rise in migrant deaths at sea, combined with the increased number of arrivals by sea—over 57,700 migrants had arrived in Spain by December 15, 2024—serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by those fleeing conflict, poverty, and persecution in search of a better life. The international community is called upon to address the root causes of migration and to improve protections for migrants along these perilous routes.
