Seven migrants dead on boat heading to Canary Islands

At least seven people died on a boat carrying nearly 140 individuals, rescued off Lanzarote. Survivors reported that five bodies were thrown overboard under unclear circumstances. Recent attempts to cross the Atlantic migration route have been deadly, with nearly 300 people rescued over the weekend. The Atlantic route, linking West Africa to the Canary Islands, is one of the most perilous migration paths. Despite a decrease in crossings, the mortality rate has increased due to longer and more dangerous routes. In 2023, 17,788 irregular migrants reached the islands, with 416 reported dead or missing this year, while an NGO documented 1,906 deaths on this route.