STORY: These migrants who landed on the Canary Islands of Hierro on Thursday were among the lucky ones.
:: La Restinga, Spain
They survived the dangerous Spanish route.
But 2024 will not see record numbers of migrants arrive, according to a report released this week by migrant aid group Walking Borders.
A total of 10,457 people died trying to reach Spain via all routes, the report said.
There are nearly 30 people every day.
The vast majority died at sea on the Atlantic route – trying to reach the Canary Islands from the Atlantic coast of Africa.
A disaster occurred on December 19, when Malian authorities said a makeshift boat carrying about 80 people capsized in Moroccan waters.
At least 69 people died.
::Algineguin, Spain
:: December 25, 2024
The Atlantic route has seen a surge in passenger numbers this year, with 41,425 arrivals between January and November, surpassing the previous record of 39,910 set in 2023.
Years of conflict in the Sahel region including Mali, unemployment and the impact of climate change on farming communities are among the reasons people try to cross the border, according to Walking the Border.
The aid group blamed the rising death toll on a lack of action or arbitrary rescues and the criminalization of migrants.
It also accused the government of “putting immigration control ahead of the right to life”.
