At Least 69 Dead as Boat Capsizes Near Morocco, Including 25 Mali Nationals

AFRICA:Authorities in Mali have confirmed that at least 69 people, including 25 nationals from Mali, have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized near Morocco. The boat was en route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands when the tragedy occurred. The incident took place a few days ago, with around 80 people aboard at the time.

According to Al Jazeera, only 11 survivors were rescued from the wreckage, while the rest perished. In response, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a crisis unit to monitor the situation. The Ministry’s advisor, Dole Kita, stated that many of the victims hailed from the western region of Kayes in Mali.

The mayor of Marina, a community in the Kayes region, Mamadou Sibi, reported that 8 of the deceased Malians were from his area. He added that the young victims had left their community seven months ago to work in the construction industry in Mauritania. Sadly, they had been in contact with friends in Europe and the United States, who encouraged them to travel to Western countries. In many cases, these young individuals embarked on the perilous journey without informing their families.

This incident is part of a larger, troubling pattern of illegal migration attempts from developing countries to Europe. Many migrants, driven by the desire for better job opportunities in Europe, embark on dangerous sea voyages, often overcrowded and with inadequate safety measures. Such voyages frequently result in tragedies, with boats capsizing and lives being lost.

Just days earlier, another similar incident occurred when a boat carrying illegal migrants to Greece sank, resulting in the deaths of 45 Pakistanis.

This latest tragedy underscores the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe via perilous sea routes and the urgent need for safer and legal pathways for migration.