At least 69 migrants have died after a makeshift boat heading from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands capsized off the coast of Morocco on December 19, according to Malian authorities.
Out of approximately 80 passengers onboard, only 11 survived, the Malian Ministry of Malians Abroad confirmed in a statement on Thursday after piecing together details of the tragedy.
In response to the incident, a crisis unit has been established to monitor the situation.
The Atlantic migration route, often used by migrants from West Africa seeking a better life in mainland Europe, has witnessed an unprecedented surge this year.
Between January and November 2024, 41,425 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands, surpassing last year’s record of 39,910 arrivals.
Root causes driving the perilous crossings include ongoing conflict in the Sahel region, economic hardship, unemployment, and the worsening effects of climate change on agriculture-dependent communities.
The route, with key departure points in Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, and Morocco, remains the deadliest in the world.
According to migrant advocacy group Walking Borders, 9,757 migrants have died at sea in 2024 while attempting to reach the Canary Islands. Across all routes to Spain, the group recorded 10,457 deaths this year, averaging nearly 30 fatalities daily.
The Mauritania-to-Canary Islands route was identified as the deadliest corridor, responsible for 6,829 deaths. Walking Borders has criticized governments for prioritizing immigration control over humanitarian rescue efforts, blaming inadequate response systems and the criminalization of migrants for the escalating death toll.
