- The victims, including 25 Malians, met their end while trying to cross into spain via Morocco in a makeshift boat
No fewer than 69 people have lost their lives in a boat accident off the coast of Morocco.
The victims, including 25 Malians, met their end while trying to cross into spain via Morocco in a makeshift boat.
Approximately 80 people were on board the boat but only 11 survivors were rescued, according to Malian authorities.
According to a statement from Mali’s Ministry of Malians Abroad, at least nine of the survivors are from Mali.
The tragedy occurred last week, but the ministry formally confirmed the incident on Thursday. A crisis unit has been dispatched to monitor the situation and assist those affected.
Mali has been plagued by years of political instability and security crisis, including jihadist violence and separatist uprisings, which have led to two military coups in 2020 and 2021.
While the ruling junta initially promised elections by March 2024, the country remains in turmoil, with much of its northern and eastern regions ungovernable.
Economic hardship, unemployment, and the impact of climate change on agriculture have forced many Malians to seek better opportunities abroad, often embarking on perilous journeys across the sea.
The Atlantic route, stretching from the coasts of Mauritania and Morocco to Spain, is one of the most perilous migration paths in the world.
Spanish human rights group Caminando Fronteras reports that over 10,000 people have died attempting to reach Spain by boat this year alone, averaging 30 deaths daily.
Many migrants attempting this dangerous crossing come from sub-Saharan Africa, fleeing conflict and poverty.
At its closest point, Morocco is just eight nautical miles (14 kilometers) from Spain, making it a popular yet treacherous route for those seeking a new life in Europe