On Sunday, 16 February 2025, a cayaco with 61 migrants on board was intercepted off the south coast of Tenerife. The vessel was discovered at 16:35 by the crew of Fred Olsen’s Benchijigua Express ferry 13 miles off the coast of Los Cristianos. The crew immediately reported the discovery to the Tenerife Maritime Rescue Centre.
The ferry Volcán de Teno, travelling in the opposite direction, soon changed course to confirm the location of the cayaco. It accompanied the vessel until the Salvamar Alpheratz rescue boat arrived at 17:25. The ferry then continued its route and the rescue boat escorted the cayaco to the port of Los Cristianos.
At the port, the migrants were met by a medical team including staff from the Canarian Emergency Service (SUC), Primary Health Care and the Red Cross. Three of the arrivals required further medical attention and were taken to hospital.
This case highlights the ongoing problem of increasing numbers of migrants arriving by sea to the Canary Islands, which are often seen as a gateway to Europe for people from Africa. A record 46,843 migrants arrived by sea in the Canary Islands in 2024, a significant increase on the previous year. According to the non-governmental organisation Caminando Fronteras, between January 1 and December 5, 2024, at least 10,457 people died or went missing trying to reach Spain by sea. This is 50 per cent more than in 2023 and is the highest number since 2007. The main causes are cited as the use of unreliable vessels, dangerous waterways and lack of resources for rescue operations.
What measures do you think should be taken to address the increasing number of migrants risking their lives trying to cross the Atlantic? Share your opinion in the comments.
