Brussels - Madrid: Europe and Arabs - Agencies

In conjunction with the announcement in Spain of the death toll off the coast of the country during the current year, another accident occurred off the coast of Morocco today, Friday, claiming the lives of dozens of migrants from Mali. According to what was published by the Euronews website in Brussels, the authorities in Mali said that at least 69 migrants died, including 25 Malian citizens, after a boat heading from West Africa to Spain capsized off Morocco on December 19.

The boat was carrying about 80 passengers when it capsized, and 11 people were able to survive the accident, 9 of whom were from Mali, according to a statement issued by the government.

Earlier, the authorities indicated that at least 70 people were missing after the boat sank.
This came as a report issued by the Spanish organization "Caminando Fronteras" concerned with migrant rights revealed that 10,457 migrants died at sea while trying to reach Spain in 2024, an increase of 58% compared to the previous year.
The report explained that the Atlantic route, which is considered the most dangerous sea route in the world, witnessed 9,757 victims, while the Mediterranean routes recorded 700 deaths. The Atlantic route connects the coasts of West African countries, such as Mauritania, with the Spanish Canary Islands, which have become a major gateway to Europe.
The organization based its report on the accounts of migrants' families and official statistics of survivors, noting that among the victims were 1,538 children and 421 women, with the highest death rates recorded in April and May. The report monitored a sharp increase in the number of boats departing from Mauritania during 2024, as it became the main departure point for migrants heading to the Canary Islands. In this context, Spain pledged in February to provide aid worth 210 million euros to Mauritania to combat human trafficking and prevent boats from sailing.