50 people die in tragic capsizing of boat bound for the Canary Islands


  • 16-01-2025
  • National
  • Canarian Weekly
  • Photo Credit: Archivo
50 people die in tragic capsizing of boat bound for the Canary Islands

Fifty people have lost their lives after a cayuco (small wooden boat) that departed from Mauritania on 2nd January capsized while enroute to the Canary Islands, according to the spokesperson of the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras, Helena Maleno.

The tragedy only came to light yesterday, 15th January, when Moroccan authorities rescued 36 survivors from the ill-fated vessel. Caminando Fronteras reported that the cayuco was initially carrying 86 passengers, though the exact number remains uncertain. The survivors endured a harrowing 13 days at sea before their rescue.

Among those on board were at least three women, including a teenage girl who managed to survive the ordeal. The Spanish Maritime Rescue Service was not involved in the operation, which was conducted entirely by Moroccan authorities.

Canary Islands President Calls for Action

Following the revelation of the disaster, Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands, issued a plea to the Spanish government and the European Union to address the humanitarian crisis.

"We cannot remain mere witnesses. The state and Europe must act. The Atlantic cannot continue to serve as Africa’s graveyard. They cannot turn their backs on this humanitarian tragedy. My condolences to the families of the fifty latest victims," Clavijo wrote on the social media platform X.

A Shift in Migrant Routes

The majority of the passengers on the doomed canoe were from Asia, with Caminando Fronteras detailing that 66 Pakistanis were onboard. In recent months, Spanish authorities have noted a growing number of migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Bangladesh risking the perilous journey on the Canary Route. This route typically involves voyages in canoes departing from Mauritania, often under dire and unsafe conditions.

Historically, migrants from these countries sought entry to Europe via the Mediterranean or Balkan routes. The shift towards the Canary Route is under investigation, as Somali nationals have also begun to appear on this dangerous pathway.

Rising Numbers Along a Dangerous Route

Although the overall figures for Asian migrants on the Canary Route remain modest, the dangers are immense. According to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, nearly 47,000 migrants attempted the journey in 2024. Between January and November 2024, arrivals in the Canary Islands included 221 Pakistanis, 54 Bangladeshis, 13 Syrians, 12 Afghans, one Palestinian, and 47 Somalis.

The latest tragedy underscores the ongoing risks faced by those attempting to reach European shores via the Atlantic, as the Canary Islands increasingly bear witness to the human cost of migration.

 

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