The tragedy of migration at sea has tragically struck again, as at least 30 migrants are feared dead after a ship sunk off the coast of the Canary Islands. The ship was carrying around 60 people and is the latest in a string of deadly accidents involving migrant vessels that usually end, all too often, in tragedy.
The two civil organizations that monitor migrant boats, Caminando Fronteras and Alarm Phone, have reported that as many as 35 people could still be missing, adding to the deep sadness of this event. Spanish authorities have reported finding the bodies of a minor and a man, as well as the rescue of 24 people alive.
The sinking of the migrant boat has once again brought to the fore the oft-repeated pleas for a comprehensive European response to migration, a plea echoed by the leader of the Canary Islands region, Ángel Víctor Torres, who called the incident a ‘tragedy.’
According to the Spanish search patrol Guardamar Calliope, the boat had been in trouble for over 12 hours the previous night, but the Spanish search vessel was not able to intervene as they were reassigned to the Moroccan authorities instead. The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior is yet to respond to the BBC’s request for information.
More than 5,914 immigrants have attempted to make the journey since January this year, a 31% drop compared to the same period in 2022. But these recent incidents of loss of life indicate a desperate surge in numbers of those attempting the journey.
The Canary Islands is a key crossing point for those hoping to make it to Europe, often fleeing poverty or persecution in their home countries. But the perilous journey often leads to suffering and death, placing increased pressure on governments to provide protection and safe havens for refugees.
The European Union must act swiftly to form a stronger migration policy that offers better coordination, support, and humane responses to the migrant crisis. This is the least that can be done for those migrants who risk their lives searching for a better future.