Over 10000 migrants died in 2024 trying to reach Spain by sea
- December 27, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Over 10000 migrants died in 2024 trying to reach Spain by sea
Sub : IR
Sec: Places in news
Context:
- In 2024, over 10,000 migrants died while attempting to reach Spain by sea, with an average of 30 deaths per day, according to a report by the Spanish migration rights group Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders). This marks a 58% increase in fatalities compared to the previous year.
Details of the report:
- Most of these deaths occurred along the dangerous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, a key entry point to Europe from West Africa.
- Mauritania has emerged as a significant departure point for migrants traveling toward the Canary Islands.
Migration routes to Europe via sea:
- Western Mediterranean route: On the Western Mediterranean route, migrants primarily travel from Morocco and Algeria, often attempting to cross the Strait of Gibraltar or reach Spanish enclaves like Ceuta and Melilla.
- Atlantic route: On the Atlantic route, migrants mostly depart from West African countries such as Senegal and Mauritania, aiming for the Canary Islands.
- Both routes are perilous due to extreme weather, strong currents, and increased border controls.
- Atlantic crossing is especially hazardous, with long journeys of 1000-1500 km, often in small, overcrowded boats like inflatable rafts or fishing vessels, which are unsuitable for high seas travel.
Canary Islands:
- The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, approximately 100 kilometres west of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean.
- It consists of seven main islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, as well as several smaller islands and islets.
- Tenerife is the largest island and El Hierro is the smallest.
- The Canary Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.