The “Algerian migration route”: an increasingly popular route to reach Spain, says RFI

In Spain, the massive arrivals of immigrants from West Africa to the Canary Islands continue to monopolize attention to the point of overshadowing another migratory route, less publicized but constantly increasing, writes RFI. This is the “Algerian road”which is fueling the concern of the authorities, who are struggling to stem this phenomenon. According to the NGO Acnur, 10,639 people took this route in 2023, and around 8,000 since the beginning of the year until the end of August.

This Algerian route, specifies the same Source, includes all departures of illegal boats from Algeria, mainly from four major cities: Algiers, Oran, Mostaganem and Chlef. The arrival points are on the east coast of Spain, in Almeria, or even further south, in Murcia, Alicante, or even Ibiza in the Balearic Islands. These fiber boats, equipped with 40 to 60 horsepower engines, have a nominal capacity of ten people, but are often loaded with up to twenty passengers. Migrants pay between 2,000 and 4,000 euros for each crossing, and up to double when the boats are faster, more efficient and more secure.

Although the Algerian route has been in operation since 2006, it is less publicized than the Canary Islands or Strait of Gibraltar routes. However, it has gained considerable surveillance as the departure of migrants from Morocco is increasingly monitored by law enforcement, both Moroccan and Spanish. In 2023, Pedro Sánchez’s new position on the Sahara issue prompted the Algerian authorities to relax their vigilance, which explains the increase in departures, especially since it is very difficult to intercept boats off the Spanish coast. According to police sources, about half of the migrants manage to disembark without being detected. The other half are either rescued at sea or drown, as the crossing is extremely perilous.

Between storms, mechanical breakdowns and shipwrecks, official figures estimate that 500 migrants die each year during the crossing. Nevertheless, illegal journeys continue to increase. The majority of migrants are young Algerians, desperate to find a future in their own country, and ready to risk everything. Observers note an increase in the number of graduates and families among the migrants. In the absence of a readmission agreement between Spain and Algeria, most migrants remain in Spain before heading to France.