A new migratory tragedy has hit the Moroccan coasts. On December 19, a boat carrying around 80 migrants, mainly from Mali, sank off the coast of Morocco.
According to the Malian government, nearly 70 people are missing, including 25 Malian nationals. Only eleven survivors, including nine Malians, were rescued.
The Malian ministry confirmed this report after cross-checking information from several sources, including the Malian embassies in Mauritania and Morocco, the families of the victims, local elected officials and survivors. This shipwreck once again highlights the extremely high dangers of the migratory route to Spain.
A deadly year in the Mediterranean
This tragic event occurs as the year 2024 ends with a particularly heavy toll for maritime migrations to Spain. The Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras published a report indicating that more than 10,400 migrants have died or disappeared at sea trying to reach the Spanish coast this year. This represents an average of 30 deaths per day between January and December 15. The NGO describes the year 2024 as “the deadliest year” since its records began. She calls on maritime authorities to be more vigilant in the face of boats in distress.
Mali, a country in crisis
Mali, hard hit by this shipwreck, has been facing a profound and multidimensional security crisis since 2012, marked by independence and jihadist insurgencies. This precarious situation contributes to the massive exodus of its population towards more stable countries, exposing migrants to considerable risks. This tragedy underlines the urgency of strengthened international cooperation to fight against migrant smuggling and protect human lives.
Morocco
