Politics · Spain · 12 hrs ago
Spain declares migration emergency in the Canary Islands
Nearly 7,500 people arrived in the Canary Islands in 10 days, according to regional president Fernando Clavijo.
Spain’s central government and the Canary Islands authorities met with El Hierro’s council to respond to the arrivals.
The government declared a migration emergency and allocated €15.18 million for more places in state-run centres and transfers between islands and to mainland Spain.
It will also provide €1 million for Red Cross health and first-response services on El Hierro.
More rescue teams will be sent to El Hierro, including the Guardamar Calíope, and staff will be added to process the relocation of unaccompanied children.
The government has also pledged to study support for local authorities and businesses affected by the crisis, and possible income-tax benefits for La Restinga residents.
The measures are intended to ease pressure on services and the island’s economy, while the government monitors the situation.
Spain declared a migration emergency in the Canary Islands on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
The emergency makes €15.18 million available for more places in state-run centres and transfers between the islands and mainland Spain.
The government will also provide €1 million for Red Cross health and first-response services on El Hierro.
Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo said almost 7,500 migrants had arrived in the archipelago in the previous ten days.
The measures include adding a rescue vessel and increasing staff handling cases involving the relocation of unaccompanied migrant children.
- Who
- Spain’s central government declared the emergency. The measures were agreed with the Canary Islands government and El Hierro’s island council.
- What
- The government declared a migration emergency and announced funding and other support measures.
- When
- Tuesday, 10 November 2026, after almost 7,500 migrants had arrived in the previous ten days.
- Where
- The Canary Islands, with measures focused in part on El Hierro.
- Why
- The government said the measures respond to increased migrant arrivals and pressure on reception and other services.
Spain’s central government
Canary Islands Vice-President Manuel Domínguez
Response to the migration crisis
Spain’s central government
The government declared an emergency and announced funding, additional reception capacity, transfers and other support.
Canary Islands Vice-President Manuel Domínguez
Domínguez accused the central government of abandoning the Canary Islands and said it was “killing” the islands.
Government leadership
Spain’s central government
The government agreed measures at an interministerial meeting chaired by Minister Ángel Víctor Torres.
Canary Islands Vice-President Manuel Domínguez
Domínguez said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez would have acted more forcefully if the situation affected Catalonia.
Fernando Clavijo said almost 7,500 migrants had arrived in the Canary Islands.
Six migrant boats carrying 597 people arrived at El Hierro.
Maritime Rescue rescued 202 people from two boats, who were taken to La Restinga.
The interministerial commission declared a migration emergency and agreed funding and other support measures.
- Arrivals
- Almost 7,500 people in the previous ten days
- Emergency funding
- €15.18 million
- Red Cross funding
- €1 million for health and first-response services on El Hierro
- Rescue vessel
- Guardamar Calíope
- Monday arrivals
- 597 people on six boats at El Hierro
4 sources
Noodsituatie op Spaanse Canarische Eilanden door groot aantal migranten
Spanje maakt 15 miljoen euro vrij en roept ‘migratienoodsituatie’ uit voor Canarische Eilanden
El Gobierno declara la emergencia migratoria en Canarias tras la llegada de 7.500 personas y anuncia ayudas económicas para El Hierro
El Gobierno amplía "recursos" ante la emergencia migratoria en Canarias: envía una patrulla más de salvamento y habilita más plazas y traslados a la Península
What people are saying
está matando a Canarias
absoluto abandono
contundente