ARCHIVED PROJECTS: "Migration" by Arturo Rodríguez: "Heroes"

On August 16, 2005 something happened that would change the Spain forever. On that day a ship arrived at Tenerife with 100 African immigrants aboard. They had tried to enter into the country, and hence the prosperity of Europe, in a clandestine way. Many people are desperate enough to attempt this and tragically many die in the effort. This was the first time such a trip was recorded and it shocked everyone. From that day, a trickle has turned into a human tide and the distances travelled has extended. Initially boats would carry small groups, now we often see crowded vessels packed with around 100 desperate and often half-dead people travelling around 1,000 kilometers to reach a land of plenty. In the summer of 2006 up to 1,000 people arrived every day.