Mali tragedy: Drifting boat with 11 refugees found at sea

• A boat with 11 deceased refugees from Mali was found in the Caribbean Sea.
• The boat was drifting near Canouan Island, 25 miles from Saint Vincent.
• The migrants were likely trying to reach the Canary Islands but were pushed off course by currents.

Police from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines discovered a drifting boat in the Caribbean Sea containing the bodies of 11 people. It has been confirmed that they were refugees from Mali, as evidenced by found passports. This is another dramatic situation related to migration from West Africa.

According to the Polish Press Agency, the 43-foot boat was discovered near Canouan Island, about 25 miles from the main island of Saint Vincent. The bodies were transported to Kingstown, where forensic analyses will be conducted. In recent months, similar incidents have occurred multiple times in the Lesser Antilles region. In January, 19 bodies of escapees from Mali were found in a boat near the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The migrants from Mali likely attempted to reach the Spanish Canary Islands. However, winds and sea currents pushed them far to the west. Without access to food and water, they could not survive this perilous journey.

Mauritania has become a key transit point for migrants from West Africa traveling to Spain. According to a report by the Spanish Department of National Security, in 2024, more than 25,000 migrants arrived in Spain from Mauritania. This number equals the total number of migrants that arrived from Morocco and Algeria combined.

The tragic events in the Caribbean Sea underscore the desperation and challenges faced by migrants from West Africa. Despite the dangers involved, many risk their lives in the hope of finding a better future. Unfortunately, for many, the dream of a better life ends in tragedy.