At least 69 people died, including 25 Malian nationals, after a boat headed from West Africa to Spain capsized off Morocco on Dec. 19, Malian authorities said.
The makeshift boat was carrying around 80 people when it capsized. Only 11 survived, the Ministry of Malians Abroad said in a statement on Thursday, after collecting information to reconstruct the incident.
A crisis unit has been set up to monitor the situation and will report any further updates, it added.
The Atlantic migration route from the coast of West Africa to the Canary Islands, typically used by African migrants trying to reach Spain, has seen a surge this year.
Years of conflict in the Sahel region that includes Mali, unemployment and the impact of climate change on farming communities are among the reasons why people attempt the crossing.
The route, which traces the Atlantic coasts of Mauritania and Morocco up to Spain, is one of the world's deadliest.
An unprecedented nearly 5,000 migrants died at sea in the first five months of 2024 trying to reach the Spanish archipelago, migration rights group Walking Borders said in June.
Latest Stories
-
Ministerial vetting: Some MPs behave as if they’ve ‘drunk something’ – Battor Mankrado
3 hours -
Commander Sabina Dennison takes command of Ghana Navy Supply Base in Takoradi
7 hours -
Bimbilla SHS students struggle amidst severe water crisis
7 hours -
Mahama working to bring Mali, others back to ECOWAS – Ablakwa
10 hours -
Ashaiman military brutality: Battor Mankrado urges Mahama to hold perpetrators accountable
10 hours -
Kantamanto, Techiman markets bounce back after devastating fire outbreak
10 hours -
Security arrangement to be ‘standardized’ going forward – DCOP Lydia Donkor
10 hours -
Miguel Jiménez crowned champion of 49th Hassan II Golf Trophy
10 hours -
At least 30 missing after China landslide
11 hours -
Mustapha Gbande’s appointment sparks excitement among NDC’s grassroot
12 hours -
Judge blocks Musk team access to Treasury Department records
12 hours -
England’s Cara Gainer wins 2025 Lalla Meryem Cup in thrilling play-Off
12 hours -
Luv FM hosts successful 2025 edition of health walk in Kumasi
13 hours -
Gov’t suspends National Roads Authority Act for broader stakeholder consultations
13 hours -
BCI re-iterates calls on government to include cancer patients in LEAP program
13 hours