7 months ago
Migrants shift to riskier routes to Canaries after Mauritania crackdown
Migrants trying to reach Spain's Canary Islands are now starting their journeys from farther away and more dangerous places.
This is happening because Mauritania, which used to be a common starting point, has started stopping these migrations more strictly.
The European Union made an agreement with Mauritania to reduce these migrations.
Now, migrants are traveling from places like Guinea and Gambia, which are much farther away.
This makes the trip longer, more expensive, and riskier.
Experts are worried that this will make the journey even more dangerous.
Migrants are now departing from Guinea and Gambia, which are farther south and more dangerous, due to a crackdown by Mauritania.
Departures from Mauritania fell by 89% in 2025 compared to 2024, according to Red Cross data.
The number of boats arriving in the Canaries from Gambia more than doubled in 2025.
One boat departed from Conakry, Guinea, more than 2,000 kilometers away, taking 11 days to reach the Canaries.
Experts warn that the longer and more expensive journey makes the crossing even more lethal.
- Who
- Migrants from West Africa, particularly from Guinea and Gambia
- What
- Shift to more distant and riskier departure points for crossing to Spain's Canary Islands
- Where
- Departures from Guinea and Gambia, arrivals in the Canary Islands
- When
- 2025, following a crackdown by Mauritania in March 2024
- Why
- Due to a crackdown on irregular migration by Mauritania following a pact with the European Union
Key facts
- Departure Points
- Guinea, Gambia, Mauritania
- Distance from Conakry to Canaries
- 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles)
- Journey Duration
- 11 days
- Boats from Gambia in 2025
- 22
- Boats from Gambia in 2024
- 9
- Departures from Mauritania (2025)
- 23
- Departures from Mauritania (2024)
- 216
- Arrivals in Canaries (2025)
- Down 59% through October
Quotes
Hassan Ould Moctar
Lecturer in the anthropology of migration at SOAS University of London
“The fact that people are leaving farther south on that route means that they have longer to travel, they need to get farther on supplies, they need money for fuel, all of which means that it’s riskier still. The most lethal crossing to (Europe) is sadly set to become more lethal still.”
theprint.in

