A migrant rights group said that in 2023, when record numbers were heading for the Canary Islands, at least 6,618 persons perished or vanished while attempting to reach Spain by sea, reports RTE.
According to its organiser, Helena Maleno, at a press conference, this “shameful” total is over three times higher than the 2,390 figures reported the year before.
It is also the largest since Walking Borders, a nonprofit organisation, started keeping track of donations in 2007, reports RTE.
The charity, which gathers its data from official rescue records and the families of migrants who perished or disappeared, claims that 384 children are included in the total.
“The Atlantic route has become the deadliest route in the world,” Ms Maleno said, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.