Spain is facing a renewed wave of immigration, with 6,194 irregular migrants arriving in October aboard 65 ships, followed by another 6,665 arrivals in the first nine days of November, according to Spanish authorities.
The island of El Hiero, home to about 11,400 residents, was particularly hard hit, receiving most of the last boats. Migrant smuggling networks have increased departures from Senegal, Gambia, Morocco and Mauritania following July's massive border crossing crisis in Souta.
Canary Islands President Fernando Clavio demanded urgent assistance from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. On November 10, Madrid declared a migration emergency, allocating €16.18 million in additional funding and strengthening maritime rescue, health services and migrant transfers.