When a wooden boat carrying refugees from North Africa went down on the coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, which belongs to Spain, at least seven people drowned. The at least 35 people on board had almost reached their destination. In heavy waves, her boat collided with the rocky coast near the town of Orzola on the northern tip of the island at night and capsized, as the newspaper „Canarias7“ reported today.
28 young men could have been saved. However, it is feared that the death toll could rise because survivors reported missing persons. Numerous helpers as well as a helicopter from the sea rescue and a drone from the police were involved in the search and rescue operation.
The number of refugees in the Canary Islands has increased
The Canary Islands, which also include Gran Canaria and Tenerife, are located in the Atlantic off the west coast of North Africa. The journey across the open sea is considered to be the most dangerous but also the least controlled migration route towards Europe.
The number of refugees from the North African Maghreb and from countries further south has risen sharply this year in the Canary Islands. Since January, more than 18,000 people have already arrived there in small open wooden boats. According to official information, this means an increase of 1,000 percent compared to the previous year. 9,000 arrived in the past four weeks alone.
The central government in Madrid refuses to bring the people to mainland Spain because it fears that it will attract more refugees. A thesis that has not been scientifically proven. Displeasure is growing on the islands, which are heavily dependent on tourism and are therefore particularly suffering from the coronavirus pandemic.
