1 dead, 24 missing as migrant boat capsizes in Spain

By Ihechukwu Sunday
At least one person has been confirmed dead, while 24 others are still missing after a migrant boat capsized off Spain’s Canary Islands.
According Spanish authorities, Marine Rescue Service, the incident happened sometime between Monday afternoon and early Tuesday.
Spokesman of the Spanish Rescuers told The Associated Press that 116 people were rescued when three boats heading to the Island were intercepted.q
Two of the boats were located on Monday afternoon, drifting about 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of the archipelago, off the northwest coast of Africa, the third boat was found capsized around 225 kilometers (140 miles) south of the islands.
Thirty six persons, including 10 women and two minors, were rescued by Marine Services, while a female body was equally recovered.
According a source, the search had since been halted, even as the authorities had been told that the sinking boat, which is believed to have set off from Cape Bojador in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, was carrying 61 migrants.
In recent years, migrants have beseeched this route which is one of the most dangerous routes to Europe in a bid to enter Europe. They have been braving all odds to cross the Atlantic Ocean and make it to the Canary Islands at the risk of their lives.
In formation from the Spanish Interior Ministry revealed that in 2021, a total of 22,316 migrants got into Europe through the Canary Islands. The report also said that from January to mid-April this year, 6,359 migrants have arrived in the Canary Islands; a 60 percent rise compared to the same period last year.