West and Central Africa — Irregular Migration Routes to Europe — Western African Atlantic Route (January - September 2023)

This document presents the resumption of migration from the coasts of West Africa to the Canary Islands (Spain). This route, already active in 2006, saw an increasing number of movements in 2023. The risks, deaths and disappearances following shipwrecks are also on the rise along the Atlantic coasts. Between January and September 2023, 14,976 migrants reached the Canary Islands irregularly after crossing by boat from the coasts of West Africa, an increase of 19 per cent compared to 2022 (12,506 migrants).Nevertheless, risks and dangers along the West African Atlantic route remain and 26 shipwrecks were recorded along this route in 2023, resulting in the death or disappearance of 424 migrants.