In a weekend marked by a significant influx of migrants, over 1,400 African migrants successfully reached Spain's Canary Islands, breaking records for the number of arrivals in a single boat.

This surge in arrivals adds to a recent increase in migration to the region.

Between Friday night and Sunday morning, a total of 1,457 migrants arrived on the Spanish islands located off the western coast of Africa. The vast majority of these newcomers hail from sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the ongoing migration challenges in the region.

A remarkable moment occurred on Saturday when 321 individuals landed on the island of El Hierro aboard a single vessel, surpassing the previous record set on October 3 with 280 arrivals. Spanish broadcaster TVE captured images of a colorful vessel packed with passengers, all expressing relief and gratitude upon reaching the port.

According to the latest data from Spain's interior ministry, a total of 23,537 migrants have arrived in the Canary Islands between January 1 and October 15. The first half of October alone recorded 8,561 arrivals, marking a two-week record since the migration crisis of 2006.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, during a recent visit to the archipelago, attributed the spike in migration numbers to political instability in the Sahel region. The Canary Islands route has become increasingly favored in recent years due to heightened controls in the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, many migrants embark on perilous journeys on barely seaworthy vessels, risking their lives during the challenging and lengthy voyage from Morocco, Western Sahara, and even far-off destinations like Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia, some of which are nearly 1,000 kilometers away. This situation underscores the desperation and challenges faced by migrants seeking new opportunities in the Canary Islands, despite the dangers involved. Photo by Tamara k, Wikimedia commons.