Deadly Voyage: Analyzing the Fatal Shipwreck of Migrants off Morocco’s Coast
At least 69 migrants have died after a makeshift boat en route to Spain’s Canary Islands capsized off the coast of Morocco on December 19, 2024.
The vessel was carrying approximately 80 individuals, with only 11 survivors reported. Among the deceased, 25 were identified as Malian nationals.
The boat departed from Mauritania on December 15, aiming to reach Spain via the perilous Atlantic migration route, which has seen a significant increase in traffic and fatalities this year.
In 2024, nearly 5,000 migrants have died attempting to reach the Canary Islands, averaging about 30 deaths daily.
Mali’s Ministry of Malians Abroad has established a crisis unit to monitor the situation and gather more information. The victims were primarily young individuals from the Kayes region in Mali, seeking better opportunities abroad.
This tragedy underscores the extreme dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Atlantic route, often in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels.
International organizations continue to call for increased efforts to provide safe and legal migration pathways to prevent such loss of life.