69 Dead as Migrant Boat Sinks off Morocco; 66 Pakistanis Among the Victims
The Atlantic cannot continue to be the graveyard of Africa," Clavijo wrote on X.
ISLAMABAD: At least 69 migrants have tragically lost their lives after a makeshift boat attempting to reach Spain capsized off the coast of Morocco. The vessel, which was carrying around 86 people, including 66 Pakistanis, set off from Mauritania on January 2, and had been at sea for 13 days before the disaster occurred.
The incident took place last week, but was confirmed on Thursday by Mali’s Ministry of Malians Abroad, which reported that only 11 survivors had been rescued. A crisis unit has been established to assist the affected families. The tragedy highlights the perilous journey migrants face while crossing one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.
The boat was headed towards Spain’s Canary Islands, a key destination for migrants from West Africa. According to reports from Reuters, 36 people were rescued, though 50 are feared dead. The Atlantic route has claimed the lives of over 10,457 people in 2024 alone, with an average of 30 deaths each day, according to the Spanish human rights group Caminando Fronteras. Many of these migrants are fleeing poverty, conflict, and instability in their home countries, including Pakistan, which has seen an increase in people risking their lives to reach Europe due to political and economic turmoil.
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The tragedy also raised concerns over the failure of authorities to act on warnings about the boat. The Spanish rights group Walking Borders reported that it had alerted officials six days before the boat disappeared, but Spain’s maritime rescue service reportedly lacked information on the vessel. Helena Maleno, CEO of Walking Borders, took to social media to express frustration over the lack of timely intervention, noting that 44 of those who drowned were from Pakistan.
This latest disaster has sparked renewed calls for urgent action to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Fernando Clavijo, regional leader of the Canary Islands, expressed his sorrow and urged Spain and Europe to take immediate measures. He emphasized that the Atlantic route should no longer be allowed to serve as “the graveyard of Africa,” urging a more compassionate response to this humanitarian tragedy.
