Every year, thousands of migrants, mostly in makeshift and unseaworthy boats, embark on dangerous sea journeys from the African coast in hopes of reaching Europe.
On December 19, the Moroccan government reported that 70 people, including 25 Malians, went missing after a boat carrying migrants sank.
In a statement from the government, it was noted that there were about 80 migrants aboard the boat heading toward Spain, and “Unfortunately, 25 young Malians were identified among the victims.”
According to statements from embassies in the region, officials, victims’ families, and survivors, 11 people were rescued, of whom nine were Malians.
Every year, thousands of migrants, mostly in makeshift and unseaworthy boats, embark on dangerous sea journeys from the African coast in hopes of reaching Europe.
Dangerous Journey
On Thursday, the Spanish migration NGO Caminando Fronteras released a report stating that more than 10,400 migrants have lost their lives while trying to reach Spain since 2024, including a record number of migrants heading to the Canary Islands.
This equates to an average of 30 deaths per day, making it the deadliest year on record for the organization.
At their closest points, the Canary Islands are located 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the North African coast. The shortest route is from the coastal town of Tarfaya in southern Morocco to the Canary Island of Fuerteventura.
However, to avoid controls, smugglers sometimes take longer and more dangerous routes; first heading west into the open Atlantic Ocean and then northward toward the Canary Islands.
Overcrowded Boats
The Atlantic route, in particular, is extremely deadly due to overcrowded and poorly equipped boats that struggle to cope with strong ocean currents.
Some boats depart from African shores as far as 1,000 kilometers away from the Canary Islands.
Since 2012, Mali has been facing a severe security crisis due to attacks by Al-Qaeda and ISIS-linked jihadist groups, separatist movements, and criminal gangs.
According to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 16,400 migrants have died attempting to reach Europe from Africa since 2014. This figure includes those heading to the Canary Islands.
