As many as 50 people are thought to have died after a boat bound for the Canary Islands got into difficulties after a 13-day voyage along the perilous Atlantic migration route from west Africa. The NGO Caminando Fronteras reported the boat carried 86 people, with 36 saved and 44 of the deceased believed to be Pakistani. This tragedy highlights the dire conditions faced by migrants attempting this dangerous journey, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian action.
The regional president of the Canary Islands offered his condolences and renewed his calls for action, stating, 'We can’t just be witnesses to all this... The state and Europe need to act.' This emphasizes the growing urgency in managing migration issues and preventing further tragedies at sea. The continued loss of life is unacceptable, and it calls for a review of current policies surrounding migration and a commitment to humanitarian aid.
Caminando Fronteras' CEO highlighted the plight of migrants, mentioning the harrowing conditions they face: 'They spent 13 agonising days at sea without rescuers reaching them.' This stark reality underscores the need for better rescue operations and support systems in place for those risking their lives on these perilous routes to safety.
A spokesperson from Spain’s maritime rescue service said they had no prior information about the incident, but acknowledged conducting an aerial search after receiving an alert about a boat. The absence of timely rescue highlights the systemic challenges in responding to maritime distress calls in a region rife with perilous migrations.
Collection
[
|
...
]