Tragedy at Sea: 69 Migrants Perish in Morocco Boat Disaster
Overcrowded vessel capsizes while attempting the dangerous journey to Spain, with Mali among the hardest-hit nations
- 69 migrants, including 25 Malians, died in a boat tragedy off Morocco’s coast.
- The overcrowded vessel was on its way from West Africa to Spain.
- Nearly 5,000 migrant deaths recorded on this route in 2024, highlighting increasing risks.
At least 69 migrants, including 25 Malian nationals, lost their lives when an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Morocco on December 19, as confirmed by Mali’s government.
The vessel, carrying about 80 individuals, was attempting the treacherous journey from West Africa to Spain when it sank. Only 11 survivors were rescued, Mali’s Ministry of Malians Abroad reported on Thursday, announcing the creation of a crisis unit to manage the situation and provide updates.
The Atlantic migration route, connecting West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands, has seen a dramatic rise in activity this year. Despite being among the most hazardous migration paths globally, thousands risk the voyage, driven by conflict, unemployment, and climate change impacts in the Sahel region, including Mali.
Migration advocacy group Walking Borders reported nearly 5,000 migrant deaths on this route within the first five months of 2024—a grim and unprecedented statistic.
