Tragedy Strikes as Migrant Boat Sinks en route from Western Sahara to the Canary Islands
Boat Carrying Irregular Migrants Sinks between Gran Canaria and Western Sahara Coast: 37 People Missing
A tragic incident occurred between Gran Canaria (Great Canary) and the Western Sahara coast in North Africa as a boat carrying irregular migrants sank. According to reports from Spanish media, the Canary Islands Coast Guard and Moroccan sources, 24 people were rescued from the sinking boat. Unfortunately, at least 2 people were found dead and 37 people are still missing.
The boat, which was located 40 miles from Western Sahara and 80 miles from the Great Canary Island, had a total of 63 people on board. A helicopter of the Canary Islands Coast Guard Authority and Moroccan Coast Guard teams were deployed to the area. The body of a boy was recovered by the helicopter, while the Moroccan Coast Guard retrieved another body from the water.
Spain and Morocco collaborated in the search and rescue efforts, utilizing an airplane, a helicopter, a coast guard boat, and a passing cargo ship. The joint efforts aimed to find and save as many people as possible from this tragic incident.
Last night, the Spanish and Moroccan coast guard authorities informed the non-governmental organization (NGO) Caminando Fronteras (Walking on the Border) about the sinking boat. According to the NGO, a total of 39 irregular migrants, including 4 women and 1 baby, lost their lives in this tragic event. It is believed that those who are still missing may have also perished.
In another boat disaster, off the coast of Greece on 14 June, a fishing boat carrying irregular migrants capsized in international waters, 47 nautical miles from Navarino on the Peloponnese. Out of the 104 people on board, 81 bodies were recovered after the incident. Alarm Phone, a nonprofit organization, reported that there were approximately 700 people on the fishing boat.
These incidents highlight the grave dangers faced by irregular migrants as they embark on perilous journeys in search of better lives. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation and comprehensive solutions to address the underlying causes of irregular migration and prevent further loss of life at sea.
