Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

In the tumultuous waters of the Aegean Sea, a distressing incident unfolded as an inflatable boat, ferrying migrants, tragically capsized off the Turkish coast. This harrowing shipwreck, near Gokceada (Imbros), Turkey’s largest island in the northwestern province of Canakkale, resulted in the devastating loss of at least eight lives, including two infants. Prompting an immediate response, Turkish officials swiftly initiated a search and rescue operation following the tragic shipwreck, mobilizing helicopters and planes to scour the area for survivors. Amidst the chaos, two migrants were thankfully rescued by the Turkish coast guard, while another two managed to find safety on…

A coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has strongly condemned the Italian government’s recent escalation in imposing administrative stops on humanitarian ships engaged in rescuing migrants at sea. In a joint statement issued on March 14, SOS Humanity, Sea Eye, Sea Watch, and United4Rescue decried the surge in administrative halts imposed on their German-flagged rescue vessels over the past week. According to the NGOs, three of their rescue ships – Humanity 1, Sea-Watch 5, and Sea-Eye 4 – have been barred from carrying out their lifesaving operations “based on false accusations” leveled by Italian authorities. Of particular concern is the unprecedented…

In a tragic twist of fate, over 60 migrants, including vulnerable women and children, are believed to have perished during a treacherous voyage across the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Europe. This heart-wrenching revelation stems from survivors rescued by the Ocean Viking, a vessel operated by the French humanitarian organization SOS Mediterranee. The survivors recount a harrowing journey that commenced on March 8th when their vessel departed from Zawiya, Libya. Within three days, the boat encountered mechanical failure, rendering it powerless and leaving its occupants adrift without sustenance or hydration for days on end. Among the 224 migrants saved by…

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has highlighted the role of “push factors” such as poverty, climate change, and conflict in driving the surge of migrants seeking asylum in countries like Ireland. Speaking during his visit to Washington DC for St Patrick’s Day events, Varadkar emphasized that these external pressures have led to a significant global movement of over 100 million people. While acknowledging that only a small percentage of this population finds its way to Ireland, Varadkar admitted the strain it places on the country’s resources. He described the current situation as “very difficult,” citing challenges in providing accommodation for…

Spanish authorities have uncovered a disturbing network that has been profiting for years by exploiting the anguish of families searching for missing migrants from North Africa. In a coordinated effort, police arrested fourteen individuals across Almería, Murcía, and Jaén, seizing substantial assets including €70,000 in cash, vehicles, and incriminating documents. The elaborate criminal operation targeted vulnerable families in Morocco and Algeria, luring them with false promises of information regarding their missing loved ones. Operating through fake social media profiles, the network first established contact with distraught relatives, offering to assist in locating the missing migrants. When news of a shipwreck…

Germany is actively seeking skilled workers from Kenya to help address its labour shortages in various sectors. The two nations are currently negotiating a migration agreement that would facilitate easier relocation of Kenyan workers to Germany. This move comes as Germany faces an acute need for foreign workers, not just in highly skilled fields like IT and engineering but also in vocations like bus driving, automotive repair, and elderly care. The potential migration deal with Kenya follows a similar agreement Germany struck with Morocco, marking its second such partnership in Africa. These migration partnerships aim to create more legal pathways…

As the number of migrants journeying to the Greek island of Crete continues to rise, Athens is stepping up its efforts to garner European Union assistance for a prospective agreement with Egypt aimed at facilitating the return of irregular migrants from the North African nation. This initiative follows a recent surge in the arrival of Egyptian nationals attempting to enter Greece via the southern island. Greek government estimates reveal that approximately 1,500 individuals have arrived by sea from Egypt to the small island of Gavdos, situated south of Crete, in the past three months alone. This influx reached a peak…

A remarkable shift is underway in Italy’s business landscape, with a new study revealing a boom in migrant-run companies even as enterprises managed by Italians decline. The research, titled ‘Immigration and Entrepreneurship in Italy and in Europe,’ conducted by the IDOS research center in collaboration with the CNA trade association, paints a compelling picture of the growing economic impact of immigrant entrepreneurs. According to the study, the number of companies managed by migrants in Italy surged by an impressive 42.7% between 2011 and 2022, while businesses run by Italians experienced a 5% contraction during the same period. By the end…

A perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean to reach the Canary Islands has ended in tragedy, with Spanish maritime rescuers recovering the bodies of two migrants from a distressed fishing canoe. According to reports from the Red Cross citing survivors, an additional five people are feared to have lost their lives during the treacherous crossing, their bodies cast into the unforgiving waters. The grim discovery unfolded on Monday evening when a merchant vessel spotted the unstable boat carrying the migrants and alerted authorities on the island of Gran Canaria. Upon reaching the vessel, a long, wooden dugout canoe known as…

The United Nations has stepped in to address the concerning case of a Senegalese teenager being held in an adult prison in the Canary Islands, despite possessing documentation indicating he is a minor. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has urged Spanish authorities to uphold the teenager’s rights and treat him as a child, given the uncertainty surrounding his age. The case centers around an individual identified as B.C., who was accused of piloting a migrant boat to the Canary Islands and faces charges related to facilitating irregular immigration. Since December 21, 2023, the Senegalese national, who…