The Spanish coast guard has reported that at least one person died while attempting to reach Spain on a boat that departed from sub-Saharan Africa. This unfortunate event occurred a day after over a dozen individuals drowned near Senegal during a similar journey.
On Tuesday 25th July, the Spanish coast guard rescued a boat near Gran Canaria and reported that 84 people were saved, but unfortunately, one person passed away.
Tv footage showed emergency services providing blankets and placing some individuals in wheelchairs and on stretchers to assist them.
The boat was found 8.5 nautical miles (15.7)km away from Gran Canaria Island. The passengers were taken to the Arguineguin port around 5am.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that out of the 2,556 individuals who lost their lives trying to reach Europe last year, 1,126 were on the West Africa and Atlantic route to Spain, and 260 people were attempting to reach Spain through the Western Mediterranean.
