Tragedy at Sea: 50 Migrants Feared Drowned on Journey to Canary Islands

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A recent maritime disaster off the coast of the Canary Islands has left up to 50 migrants presumed dead after a boat encountered difficulties during its 13-day voyage from Mauritania. The non-governmental organization, Caminando Fronteras, reported that the vessel departed on January 2, carrying 86 individuals, primarily from Pakistan.

Following alerts about distress signals, Moroccan authorities managed to rescue 36 people but confirmed that 50 are missing and feared drowned. Helena Maleno, CEO of Caminando Fronteras, expressed her sorrow on social media, stating, "Fifty people have died on a boat headed for the Canary Islands, 44 of whom were Pakistani." The migrants reportedly spent more than a week at sea without assistance from rescue teams.

Fernando Clavijo, the regional president of the Canary Islands, voiced his condolences and called for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis. He emphasized the need for the Spanish government and the European Union to increase efforts to prevent the Atlantic Ocean from becoming a "graveyard for Africa."

Spain’s maritime rescue service, Salvamento Marítimo, announced that it was unaware of the incident, although it conducted aerial searches after receiving a distress alert. According to Caminando Fronteras, the number of deaths and disappearances of migrants attempting to reach Spain by sea has significantly increased, with at least 10,457 fatalities reported in 2024 alone, marking a 50% rise compared to 2023. This statistic reflects ongoing challenges, including the use of unsafe boats and inadequate resources for maritime rescue operations.

In 2024, the Canary Islands saw a record influx of migrants, with 46,843 arrivals via this perilous route, highlighting a worrying trend in migration patterns across the Atlantic.

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