Authorities in Mali have announced that at least 69 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Morocco.
According to reports, the handmade boat was carrying 80 migrants, and 11 of its passengers were rescued.
Malian officials stated that the boat was en route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, Spain, when it capsized.
This tragedy highlights the perilous nature of the migration route across the waters of Morocco, which is known to be one of the deadliest maritime migration routes from Africa to Europe. Every year, thousands of migrants lose their lives attempting to make the dangerous journey.
Recently, the refugee advocacy organization “Camino Fronteras” reported that over 10,000 refugees have died in 2024 while trying to reach Spain.
The organization noted that the number of deaths has increased by 59% compared to the previous year.
In another recent incident, on Saturday, December 21, the Greek Coast Guard reported the death of eight Afghan citizens after a boat carrying migrants capsized near the island of Verdes.
According to statistics from the Spanish government, by December 15, 2024, more than 57,700 migrants had arrived in Spain by sea, marking an increase of approximately 12% compared to the same period last year.
This growing death toll emphasizes the continuing risks faced by migrants seeking to reach Europe, often fleeing conflict, poverty, or persecution. The international community faces increasing pressure to address both the humanitarian crisis at sea and the underlying factors driving migration.
Governments and humanitarian organizations must work together to improve safety measures, offer better support for migrants, and find long-term solutions to the root causes of displacement. Until then, the journey across the Mediterranean and surrounding waters remains perilous, with countless lives at stake.
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