‘Another invasion’ – More illegal migrants have already landed on Spanish Canary Islands than all last year, could reach 30,000

The Spanish Canary Islands have already recorded more irregular sea arrivals in 2026 than in all of 2025, with police reports indicating the archipelago could close the year above 30,000 people.

A sharp late-year acceleration, concentrated on the small island of El Hierro, has overwhelmed local services and drawn sharp criticism from regional leaders and right-leaning parties in Spain.