Spanish rescuers are currently conducting a search operation in the waters off the Canary Islands for a boat carrying over 200 African migrants who went missing more than a week ago. The boat is said to have sailed from Kafountine, a coastal town in southern Senegal, and was en route to the Canary Islands, approximately 1,700km (1,057 miles) away.
According to the aid group Walking Borders, many children are among the passengers on board the missing boat. Two other similar boats carrying dozens more people are also reported to be missing.
Spain’s maritime rescue service has deployed a plane to assist in the search efforts. The boat with 200 people on board left Kafountine on June 27, and limited information is available regarding the other two missing boats. Helena Maleno from Walking Borders stated that one of the boats is believed to carry about 65 people, while the other is estimated to have up to 60 individuals on board. This brings the total number of people missing over 300.
The Mediterranean migrant shipwreck tragedy off the Greek coast, which occurred a few weeks ago, remains fresh in memory. At least 78 people were confirmed dead, while the United Nations (UN) reported that up to 500 individuals were still missing.
The journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands is considered one of the most perilous routes for migrants due to the treacherous conditions and the use of simple dugout fishing boats that are vulnerable to powerful Atlantic currents.
In 2021, the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that at least 559 people lost their lives at sea while attempting to reach the Spanish islands. The death toll for 2022 was 1,126.
Although there has been a decrease in irregular arrivals, with 15,682 people reaching the Canary Islands in 2022 according to Spain’s Interior Ministry, the IOM warns that the number of migrants along this dangerous route remains high compared to previous years. The perilous nature of the journey and the ongoing challenges faced by migrants highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions and support to address migration issues. The situation emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and humanitarian efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable migrants.
