The sinking of a migrant boat near Spain's Canary Islands has led to fears of dozens of people losing their lives. Spanish officials and aid group Walking Borders have reported the recovery of two bodies, including that of a young girl, but the exact number of individuals onboard remains unknown, reported CNN on June 23.
According to Helena Maleno, founder of Walking Borders, her organisation received distress calls on June 20 from relatives of migrants aboard the boat, informing them that the vessel had lost all engine power and was adrift. Acting swiftly, Walking Borders alerted Spanish authorities to initiate a rescue operation.
Spain's Maritime rescue service confirmed the recovery of two bodies from the sunken boat, which had departed from Morocco. It further stated that a Moroccan patrol boat managed to rescue 24 survivors. Helena Maleno, however, informed CNN that based on conversations with relatives and individuals aboard the boat prior to the incident, her organisation believes that 37 others on board had tragically drowned.
The Canary Islands have been a significant destination for migrants, with a total of 5,914 arrivals by boat recorded this year until June 15. Despite a 31% decrease compared to the same period last year, the recent sinking serves as a tragic reminder of the risks and challenges faced by migrants attempting to reach the Canary Islands in search of a better life.
Spanish maritime services rescued 227 migrants from four boats near Lanzarote and Gran Canary islands, part of the Canaries archipelago located off Morocco's western coast. This incident adds to concerns surrounding Europe's handling of migration, following the recent tragedy in Greece where an overcrowded fishing trawler, carrying approximately 750 individuals, overturned, resulting in the death of at least 82 people with many others still missing.
On July 1, a boat with 65 illegal migrants was intercepted by the Spanish Coast Guard off the Canary Islands. The rescued were sent to the nearest port. The body of one passenger who died en route was found on board the ship. Another migrant in serious condition was sent to the hospital, reports Euronews.
This incident highlights the ongoing need for improved measures to ensure the safety and protection of migrants undertaking dangerous journeys. It also emphasises the importance of international collaboration and comprehensive approaches to address the underlying factors driving migration and providing appropriate assistance and support to those in need.
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