The report published by migrant rights group Walking Borders revealed at least 30 people lost their lives each day while attempting to cross the Atlantic route from West African countries such as Mauritania and Senegal to the Canary Islands.
In a recent incident, the report claimed that 50 migrants may have drowned while trying to make this treacherous journey this year. According to the report, Moroccan authorities managed to rescue 36 people from the boat that left Mauritania on January 2, 2025. A total of 86 migrants were on deck, many of whom were from Pakistan.
Walking Borders claimed to have alerted authorities about the missing boat days before the rescue operation took place. An organization called Alarm Phone, which helps migrants in distress at sea, also contacted Spain’s maritime rescue service for assistance; however, the service said it did not have any information about the boat.
In response to this tragedy, Fernando Clavijo, the leader of the Canary Islands, shared his sorrow for the victims and urged Spain and Europe to take action in order to prevent further loss of life. He emphasized that “the Atlantic cannot continue to be the graveyard of Africa.”
“The Atlantic cannot continue to be the graveyard of Africa,” Clavijo said on X. “They cannot continue to turn their backs on this humanitarian drama.”
Helena Maleno, the CEO of Walking Borders, shared in a post on X that most of those who drowned were from Pakistan. She highlighted the agony these individuals faced during their 13-day crossing without any assistance, calling attention to the urgent need for change.
