At least seven migrants have died while attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Spain’s Canary Islands, even as maritime rescue teams saved more than 380 people from boats off the Spanish archipelago on Monday, November 2, 2026.
According to Spanish maritime rescue authorities, two bodies were discovered aboard a migrant boat carrying passengers rescued approximately 150 kilometres (94 miles) off the coast of Lanzarote.
The authorities also disclosed that five other migrants had died during the same journey, with their bodies reportedly thrown into the sea before rescue teams arrived.
The Spanish coast guard rescued 132 survivors from the boat, bringing the total number of people rescued in separate operations around the Canary Islands on Monday to more than 380.
Another 250 migrants were rescued earlier in the day off Lanzarote and El Hierro, according to maritime authorities.
The rescue operations followed another incident on Sunday, when 107 migrants were rescued off El Hierro.
Reacting to the latest tragedy, Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo expressed concern over the growing dangers associated with the Atlantic migration route.
In a message posted on X, Clavijo said the worst forecasts about the dangerous crossing were becoming a reality, lamenting the loss of lives off Lanzarote.
The Atlantic route is once again claiming lives, this time off the coast of Lanzarote. Behind each one is a life, a story, and a family,” he said.
His comments highlighted the human cost of irregular migration and the dangers confronting thousands of people who undertake the journey in search of better opportunities in Europe.
The Atlantic route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous migration corridors.
Thousands of migrants attempt the crossing annually in overcrowded and often poorly equipped boats, exposing themselves to rough seas, powerful ocean currents and long distances.
Despite the risks, the route remains an important pathway for migrants seeking entry into Spanish territory and other parts of Europe.
Migration attempts typically increase during the autumn months, when sea conditions are generally considered more favourable for crossing.
However, the journey remains extremely dangerous, with vessels frequently facing mechanical failures, shortages of food and water, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Although migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands have declined compared with the corresponding period in 2025, authorities have reported a sharp increase in crossings during October.
According to figures from the office of Spain’s government representative in the Canary Islands, arrivals have fallen by 18 per cent year-on-year to 11,527 people so far in 2026.
Nevertheless, the recent increase in migration attempts has placed additional pressure on reception facilities and emergency services across parts of the archipelago.
Smaller and less densely populated islands have been particularly affected by the demands of receiving and accommodating newly arrived migrants.
The latest deaths have renewed concerns over the humanitarian consequences of irregular migration and the need for stronger measures to prevent further loss of lives along the dangerous Atlantic route.
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