Spain Migrant Crisis: Spain outpaces Italy and Greece in numbers of irregular migrant arrivals

World
Europe

02:48

Migrants, mainly from Africa, have been reaching Spain's coast for decades, but this year saw 18-thousand arrive - more than in Italy or Greece. It's exposing gaps in Spain's ability to handle the crowds. And, the UN warns the country may face another challenging year. Al Goodman reports from southern Spain.

The latest example of the African migrant challenge for Spain is right here in the southern port of Tarifa. The town's multi-million dollar sports complex is now a makeshift holding center. Under police guard, nearly 700 sub-Saharan Africans stayed here recently, hoping for a better future in Europe. While right next door, the town is building its own future.

AL GOODMAN TARIFA, SPAIN "With the surge in arrivals of migrants from Africa into Spain this summer, towns are having to improvise solutions on where to hold them. You're seeing it here in the towns closest to Africa, just across the water, and as far away as Barcelona."

Africa is just 14 kilometers, or eight miles, across the sea. This Tarifa town councillor organized 100 volunteers overnight to handle a sudden influx of migrants.

PAQUI HIDALGO TARIFA TOWN COUNCILWOMAN "The town sports hall has always been open for migrants -- the old one, and now this new one. But it's not the right place for these people."

Spain made international news in June by accepting 629 migrants, rescued from the Mediterranean, after Italy and Malta denied them entry. More than two thousand aid workers, translators and lawyers awaited them at the eastern port of Valencia.

But this Roman Catholic priest, who's helped migrants for decades, says unlike well-organized Valencia, Spain's southern ports near Africa struggle with ad hoc responses.

FR. GABRIEL DELGADO ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE IN CADIZ "Migrants have come in clandestine boats for 30 years, but there wasn't a decision until now, to build a full-service reception center in this area."

The Spanish government says it's considering such a place, instead of sports arenas, especially with migrant arrivals up 80 percent this year over last. Those who make it to Tarifa, usually land here. But the priest sees a troubling undercurrent with the latest surge.

FR. GABRIEL DELGADO ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE IN CADIZ "Europe is now moving toward a more worrisome globalization – the globalization of rejection and xenophobia."

Yet there was a respite for 13 migrants still at the sports center. They suddenly emerged, to go to lodging of charities that want to help them get a foothold in Europe. Still, Tarifa's sports center, and others nearby, remain ready for new migrant arrivals, until Spain finds a better accommodation solution. Al Goodman, CGTN, Tarifa, Spain.