As statistics revealed that the number of migrants dying while trying to reach Spain reached an all-time high in 2024, Malian officials said that at least 69 individuals were confirmed dead after a boat sailing from West Africa to the Canary Islands overturned off Morocco on December 19, reports RTE.
About 80 passengers were on board the homemade boat when it overturned.
After gathering evidence to recreate the tragedy, the Ministry of Malians Abroad revealed in a statement Tuesday that just 11 people escaped, reports RTE.
It further stated that a crisis unit has been established to keep an eye on the issue.
Usually used by African migrants attempting to reach mainland Spain, the Atlantic migration route from the coast of West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands has experienced a spike this year, with 41,425 entries so far in January through November, reports RTE.
People try the crossing for a variety of reasons, including the effects of climate change on farming communities, unemployment, and years of violence in the Sahel area, which includes Mali.
The Red Cross reports that 300 people landed on six vessels in the Canary island of El Hierro today, and one person died, reports RTE.
According to migrant relief organisation Walking Borders, the Atlantic route is the deadliest in the world, including departure sites in Senegal and Gambia, Mauritania, and Morocco.
According to the group’s annual report, which was made public this week, 9,757 migrants perished at sea in 2024 while attempting to travel from Africa’s Atlantic coast to the Spanish archipelago. This year, a record 10,457 individuals—nearly 30 per day—died while trying to enter Spain, reports RTE.
With 6,829 fatalities, the route going from Mauritania—which has been especially popular this year among migrants fleeing the Sahel—was the bloodiest.
Walking Borders accused governments of “prioritising immigration control over the right to life” and attributed the increase in maritime fatalities to inaction, capricious rescues, and criminalisation of migrants, reports RTE.
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