NGO report highlights tragic rise in fatalities linked to increased migration restrictions and dangerous routes.

The death toll of refugees attempting to reach Spain in 2021 has more than doubled compared to the previous year, with an estimated 12 people dying or disappearing every day. The total number of fatalities reached 4,404, including 205 children, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders). This figure represents a dramatic increase from the 2,170 deaths recorded in 2020.

Helena Maleno, the head of Caminando Fronteras, described the figures as “horrible,” noting that they represent the worst year since the NGO began tracking fatalities in 2007. The report attributes the rise in deaths to heightened European efforts to limit migration across the Mediterranean, forcing refugees to take increasingly perilous routes, particularly through the Canary Islands. The route is known for its dangerous waters, with migrants often using unstable vessels ill-equipped to handle the Atlantic’s strong currents.