Tragic Losses Continue on Canary Island Migrant Route

At least 51 people died and four survivors were found after an inflatable boat carrying migrants from southern Morocco drifted for over a week in the Atlantic Ocean. Another person died and 65 men were rescued from a boat in Tenerife, while last month, two people died and 35 were feared drowned after their rubber dinghy capsized. The Canary Islands have become a popular route for migrants trying to reach Spain, but there are accusations of inadequate rescue coordination between Spanish and Moroccan authorities, leading to more deaths. Spain recognizes Morocco's plan for governing Western Sahara, resulting in a reliance on Morocco for rescue operations. The Atlantic route to the Canary Islands is considered one of the deadliest migrant voyages in the world, with over 7,500 deaths or disappearances recorded between 2020 and 2022.