Migrant Boat
MADRID: A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands when a boat carrying migrants capsized overnight, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals and leaving 48 others missing.
According to the national maritime rescue service, the boat had 84 people on board when it encountered distress.
A distress call was received shortly after midnight from an area off El Hierro, one of the islands in the Canary archipelago, prompting a rescue mission. Twenty-seven people were saved, but the fate of the remaining passengers remains uncertain.
This tragedy follows another devastating event in early September when 39 migrants lost their lives after their boat sank off the coast of Senegal.
They, too, were attempting a dangerous crossing to the Canary Islands, a gateway from which many hope to reach mainland Europe.
Unfortunately, these perilous journeys often result in loss of life as overcrowded, poorly maintained boats are no match for the powerful Atlantic currents.
In recent years, thousands of migrants have perished while attempting to reach Europe via the Atlantic.
The journey is particularly treacherous due to the strong ocean currents and the long distances that some boats must travel, with some departing from African shores as far as 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the Canary Islands. Many of the boats are in poor condition, leaving them vulnerable to capsizing or sinking.
Spain has been grappling with the increasing number of migrants attempting to reach its shores. As of mid-August, 22,304 migrants had arrived in the Canary Islands since the start of the year, a significant increase compared to 9,864 during the same period the previous year.
In response to the crisis, Spain’s prime minister visited Mauritania and The Gambia in late August to sign cooperation agreements aimed at curbing human smuggling while also expanding legal immigration channels.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, estimates that since 2014, at least 4,857 people have died attempting to cross the Atlantic to reach the Canary Islands.
However, many aid organizations believe this number is severely underreported. Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO that assists migrants, estimates that the true death toll is much higher, with 18,680 migrants having died trying to reach Europe over the same period.
These tragic incidents highlight the dangers faced by migrants and the urgent need for improved safety measures and policies to address the ongoing migration crisis.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
