International Desk, 17th August: In a devastating incident, a migrant boat carrying more than 100 refugees and migrants capsized off Cape Verde, leaving over 60 people feared dead. The boat, which had left Senegal in July, met with tragedy, prompting a rescue operation that managed to save 38 survivors.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) shared the grim news, expressing concerns that more than 60 people might have lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. The boat, described as a large fishing boat known as a pirogue, was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands when it capsized.
Cape Verdean authorities were alerted after a Spanish fishing boat spotted the distressed vessel about 320km (200 miles) from the island of Sal. The survivors, including a citizen of Guinea-Bissau, were rescued by the coast guard.
Cape Verde’s Health Minister, Filomena Goncalves, emphasized the importance of providing refuge to survivors and giving a dignified farewell to those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
This incident underscores the dangerous plight of refugees and migrants who attempt perilous journeys to escape poverty and conflict. The maritime migration route to the Spanish Canary Islands remains a challenging path for those seeking a better life in the European Union.