Malian authorities confirmed that at least 69 people, including 25 Malians, died after a boat heading to Spain from West Africa capsized off the coast of Morocco.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the “makeshift boat” was carrying about 80 people, but only 11 people survived. At least nine of the survivors are from Mali.
The boat capsized last week, but the ministry confirmed the incident on Thursday.
She added that a crisis unit had been sent to monitor the situation.
Mali has suffered years of jihadist and separatist violence, leading to military coups in 2020 and 2021.
The military council promised to hold elections to return to civilian rule by March 2024, but that has not happened yet.
Instability in the country, due to a widespread jihadist insurgency, has made much of the north and east of the country ungovernable.
Unemployment and the effects of climate change on agriculture have also forced many to seek greener pastures in Europe.
But the crossing is fraught with danger.
According to a Spanish human rights association. walking limits, More than 10,000 people have died trying to reach Spain by boat from Africa this year, making it one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.
The organization found that there was an average of 30 deaths per day.
The migration route, which extends from the Atlantic coasts of Mauritania and Morocco to Spain, is considered one of the most dangerous routes in the world.
Many of those who take this dangerous path come from sub-Saharan Africa, fleeing poverty and conflict in their home countries.
Morocco is located just eight nautical miles (14 kilometers) from mainland Spain at its closest point.
