Spain's Strait sees 26% rise in irregular crossings

18,260 crossings: Spain’s Strait of Gibraltar records 26% more irregular entries from January to September 2026, even as the European Union total falls by about a third. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, says its preliminary count leaves out more than 80,000 people who crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July.

EU numbers fall on other major routes

Across the EU, Frontex records just over 91,000 irregular border crossings in the nine months. It links the overall fall to cooperation with partner countries and preventive measures in countries of origin.

Crossings on the eastern Mediterranean route fall by 15%, and those on the central Mediterranean route by 56%. Together, those two routes still account for nearly 60% of the EU total. The western Mediterranean route is the only major one to record a rise.

Canary Islands crossings jump in September

On the route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, Frontex counts 7,100 crossings from January to September, down 45% on the same period a year earlier. But September alone brings nearly 1,900 detections — four times the August figure — with departures reported from Morocco and Gambia.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner says the overall decline shows migration policy is working, but warns that smugglers are changing their routes and methods. He plans to press for more powers for Frontex and put forward an emergency framework before the end of the year. Frontex director Hans Leijtens also warns that the picture could change quickly.

Topics: Migration

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com