Dozens of migrants en route to the Canary Islands are suspected to may have died after the boat that carried them capsized.

Dream For Better Life Turns Into Tragedy

People looking for greener pastures and better lives often migrate to the beautiful Canary Islands in Spain. However, not all are lucky to set foot because the sea always claims lives, regardless of age, sex, and race. Recently, over 35 people aboard a dinghy were missing on Wednesday after it capsized off northwestern Africa.

According to Maritime Rescue spokeswoman Carmen Lorente Sánchez, the search and rescue agency recovered the dead bodies of a minor and a male. She added that the coordinated operations with the Moroccan authorities rescued 24 people.

However, rescuers anticipate an increasing toll since the inflatable vessel carried 61 people when it sank, according to Caminando Fronteras. It’s a non-governmental organization that monitors the deaths of migrants.

The boat bound for the Canary Islands submerged just days after approximately 650 migrants drowned. The overloaded fishing boat sank off Greece a week ago. This increasing number of deaths of people trying to migrate to Europe from North Africa and the Middle East drew attention. It includes handling migrants and smugglers navigating the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Regarding the case near Greece, investigators are trying to find out what really happened. Could it be that smugglers declined help resulting in the boat’s sinking? Or is it due to an unsuccessful effort to tow the boat, as declared by some survivors?

Spanish authorities-operated plane located the boat on Tuesday night. However, Moroccan authorities only started their rescue operations at 6:20 on Wednesday morning. “The inflatable had been begging for rescue in Spanish waters for more than 12 hours,” said Helena Maleno Garzón, Caminando Fronteras founder.

Sánchez added that the boat sank around 46 miles off the Moroccan coast. It’s roughly twice as far from Gran Canaria, a Spanish Island. However, it remains uncertain which nation is accountable for recuses in the exact area where the boat was seen.

Latest Rescue Updates in the Canary Islands Migrants Catastrophe

Spanish authorities saved almost 170 migrants from three boats wandering off the Canary Islands overnight on Wednesday. Spain’s coastguard rescued 53 migrants “in good condition” close to Lanzarote. There were also rescued 61 people, including a mother and her baby bordering Gran Canaria, according to the local emergency services.

According to Spain’s coastguard, the Moroccan patrol boat saved 24 people, but they have no idea how many are missing. However, based on the non-profit group Walking Borders records, there were 39 dead migrants, including a baby and four women.

International Organization for Migration noted the increased attempts to cross the Mediterranean, but most are unfortunate. Last year, almost 3,800 migrants died on their journey within and from the North African and Middle East regions. This is by far the highest death toll in five years.

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