Bamako: At least 69 migrants, including 25 Malians, drowned after a boat capsized near Morocco on December 19, Mali confirmed.
The boat carried around 80 people, with only 11 survivors, according to Mali’s Ministry of Malians Abroad.
Authorities gathered data to reconstruct the tragedy and established a crisis unit to provide updates on the incident.
This marks another devastating loss on the Atlantic migration route, one of the most perilous paths for migrants globally.
Deadly Migration Route and Rising Risks
The route, connecting West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands, has seen increased migrant traffic due to regional conflict and unemployment.
Climate change’s impact on farming in Mali’s Sahel region also drives desperate attempts at the dangerous journey.
Over 5,000 migrants perished in the first five months of 2024 attempting this crossing, according to Walking Borders.
The incident highlights the urgent need for international intervention to address migration dangers and root causes of displacement.
Record Number of Migrant Boat Tragedies in 2024
The year 2024 has witnessed a devastating spike in migrant boat capsizes, highlighting the growing risks for those seeking refuge. Nearly 5,000 migrants lost their lives in the first five months alone while attempting perilous crossings to Spain’s Canary Islands, according to migration rights group Walking Borders.
The Atlantic migration route, which traverses from West Africa through the coasts of Mauritania and Morocco, remains one of the world’s deadliest. Conflict, unemployment, and climate challenges, particularly in the Sahel region, are major factors driving migrants to take these dangerous routes.
In addition to severe weather conditions, makeshift vessels and overcrowding contribute to frequent accidents. Calls for urgent international action have intensified as governments and aid organizations work to address root causes and enhance maritime safety. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of global migration crises in 2024.
