At Least 69 Dead, Including 25 Malians, After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Morocco
A tragic incident off Morocco’s coast has claimed the lives of at least 69 people, including 25 Malians, after a migrant boat heading to Spain capsized, Mali’s government confirmed.
The overcrowded “makeshift boat” was carrying around 80 passengers, but only 11 survived, according to the Ministry of Malians Abroad. Among the survivors, at least nine are Malian nationals.
Although the disaster occurred last week, the Malian government officially confirmed it on Thursday. A crisis team has been deployed to manage the situation, the ministry said.
Years of conflict in Mali, including jihadist attacks and separatist uprisings, have fueled political instability, leading to military coups in 2020 and 2021. Despite promises of elections by March 2024, the country remains under junta rule.
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Ongoing violence, high unemployment, and climate-related farming challenges have driven many Malians to risk dangerous migration journeys to Europe.
However, the Atlantic route from West Africa to Spain is one of the deadliest for migrants. Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras reports that over 10,000 people have died attempting this crossing in 2024, with an average of 30 fatalities daily.
The route stretches from the coasts of Mauritania and Morocco to Spain, separated by just eight nautical miles (14 km) at its narrowest point. Many migrants are fleeing poverty and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa, hoping for a better life in Europe.
At Least 69 Dead, Including 25 Malians, After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Morocco
