A migrant vessel carrying 66 people was intercepted off the Western Sahara on Monday, with Moroccan military authorities reporting the discovery of two deceased passengers on board. The boat was located approximately 15 kilometers southeast of the city of Dakhla and was intercepted by two Moroccan Navy vessels. The survivors, all from sub-Saharan African countries, received medical assistance before being handed over to local authorities.
This tragic incident occurred as attempts to reach the Canary Islands have surged once again. The Spanish interior ministry reported that at least 21,470 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands between January and July of this year, a significant increase from the 8,508 arrivals during the same period in 2023. The increase in migrant arrivals highlights the ongoing desperation among those attempting to escape difficult conditions in their home countries.
In a separate development, around 200 migrants were apprehended while attempting to swim from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa on Sunday night. Local authorities reported that most of the migrants were handed over to Moroccan authorities in accordance with a bilateral agreement between the two governments. Such attempts to reach Spanish territory by swimming from Morocco have become increasingly common, with migrants often risking their lives in the process.
The rising number of migrant journeys to the Canary Islands and attempts to swim to Ceuta underscore the persistent challenges faced by migrants seeking safety and a better life in Europe. These dangerous journeys continue to result in tragic losses, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the migration crisis in the region.