Nearly 5,000 deaths on Canary Islands route from Morocco in early 2024

On Wednesday, June 12, the Ca-Minando Fronteras collective presented alarming figures for fatalities on the Euro-African border in the first five months of this year.

According to their report, the Atlantic route, providing access to the Canary Islands from Morocco, is particularly deadly, with 4,808 deaths, or 95% of total victims. The most dangerous departure zones include the coast between Guelmin and Dakhla with 249 victims. This is followed by the route from Senegal with 959 victims and the route from Mauritania, the deadliest with 3,600 deaths. By comparison, Mediterranean routes caused 246 fatalities, with the Algerian route being the most perilous after the Atlantic routes.

In all, according to the data collected, 5,054 people died or went missing between January 1 and May 31. This translates to a tragic average of 33 deaths per day. These victims included 154 women and 50 children.

The significant increase in lethality at this border is attributed to migration policies focused on control rather than the protection of human life. Helena Maleno, research coordinator, denounced this situation: «We cannot normalize these figures, which is why we must demand that the various countries place sea rescue protocols and the defense of the right to life above migration control measures».

April was the worst month, with almost 1,200 victims, although the figures remain consistently high at over 800 deaths every month.

The dramatic increase in deaths is also due to bilateral agreements focusing on migration control, with no protocol to improve rescue operations. Furthermore, migrants continue to take dangerous routes despite unfavorable weather conditions and precarious boats.

This humanitarian crisis highlights the urgent need to establish effective rescue protocols. Helena Maleno insists: «It's simply a question of not letting people die at the borders, and of putting every means in place to save the lives of those in danger».