More refugees than inhabitants: this island is in danger of becoming the new Lampedusa

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The Canary Island of El Hierro now has more refugees than inhabitants. Thousands of migrants are making their way across the Atlantic Ocean from the West African coast – and risking their lives in the process.

In 2023 alone, 32,000 people landed on the Canary Islands, as the Tagesspiegel writes. That’s more than ever before. People try to cross the sea in fishing boats and rubber boats. The journey from Senegal takes seven days.

El Hierro’s capacity has been exhausted. “We cannot accept so many people,” says island president Alpidio Armas. The small island has only 11,000 inhabitants. This year alone, 12,000 refugees arrived on the Spanish island. Armas warns: ‘We don’t have the resources to take care of the people. Even the baker is not prepared to suddenly bake a thousand loaves of bread a day instead of a hundred.” The refugees are currently housed in the monastery – there are no asylum centers.

Ships try to evade border guards

El Hierro threatens to become the new Lampedusa. The Italian island became a hotspot for European migration policy. Few refugees have arrived on El Hierro in recent years. Because: Islands like Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria are closer to the West African coast and are larger. But the chance of being caught is also greater there.

Spain recently agreed with Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia that the maritime border on the West African coast will be more closely monitored. As a result, the migration route is pushed further into the Atlantic Ocean, making it increasingly dangerous. “The refugee ships are now trying to avoid border guard controls by sailing as far away from the coast as possible,” an official explains.

12,500 refugees detained

The coast guard uses ships and planes to ensure that no boats get through. When refugee ships are discovered, the border guard tows them back. In 2023, 12,500 refugees were not allowed to come to Europe.

Many attempts to escape end in death. Some people die from the strain of the crossing. Officially, 512 deaths were counted this year, but the number of unreported cases is likely high. Because many boats are lost in the Atlantic Ocean. (jwg)

Source: Blick