Authorities on El Hierro, one of Spain's Canary Islands, declared an emergency on Saturday after a sharp surge in migrant and refugee arrivals by boat overwhelmed local services.
Alpidio Armas, head of the governing council for El Hierro, told Spanish television that the island is "very concerned" by the influx. More than 3,300 people have arrived on the island in approximately 30 boats since early November, according to local authorities. Since the end of summer, roughly 8,000 migrants have reached El Hierro.
The island, one of Europe's main entry points for migrants and refugees from West Africa, has a population of around 11,000 residents. Public services are under significant strain from the arrivals.
"This is precisely what has led us to declare an emergency in order to ensure a framework of cooperation with higher-level institutions," Armas said, as the island requested assistance from the Spanish government in Madrid and regional authorities.
El Hierro is the smallest and southwesternmost of Spain's inhabited Canary Islands. Its geographic location, ocean currents, and weather patterns make it a frequent landing point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Autumn is typically the busiest migration season, as ocean conditions are most favorable during these months.
Local authorities have implemented measures to address the crisis, including improved sanitary conditions at reception facilities and temporary emergency shelters to reduce pressure on existing migrant reception centers. Officials have warned that migration pressure is expected to increase further in coming months.
The Canary Islands have long served as a critical gateway for migrants and refugees seeking entry to the European Union, with arrivals fluctuating seasonally based on weather and sea conditions.