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In a somber turn of events, a distressing incident occurred off the coast of Cape Verde, resulting in a devastating loss of life. More than 60 individuals are feared to have perished as a boat, carrying migrants, capsized in the waters near Cape Verde.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed this harrowing incident, and as reported by Al Jazeera, 38 survivors were successfully rescued.
The catastrophic occurrence took place as a migrant boat, which had departed from Senegal in July, met its tragic fate off the shores of Cape Verde.
The IOM expressed its sorrow on Wednesday, disclosing that “More than 60 people are believed to have died when a migrant boat that left Senegal in July capsized off Cape Verde.”
The vessel embarked on its ill-fated journey approximately a month ago from Senegal, and it encountered this unfortunate incident nearly 320 kilometers away from the island of Sal.
A Spanish fishing boat, which spotted the vessel on Monday, swiftly notified Cape Verde authorities, sparking a desperate and heroic rescue effort.
The result of this operation was the miraculous rescue of 38 lives, including that of a Guinea-Bissau citizen. The reality of this tragedy was further corroborated by the local morgue, which reported receiving seven deceased individuals.
With a profound sense of empathy, Cape Verde’s Health Minister, Filomena Goncalves, expressed the need to treat those affected with dignity.
She aptly conveyed, “We must open our arms and welcome the living and bury the dead with dignity,” underscoring the importance of compassion in the face of such heartbreaking events.
The boat, identified as a “pirogue,” a sizeable fishing vessel, had commenced its journey from Senegal on July 10.
It carried over 100 refugees and migrants who sought a better life. Tragically, the maritime journey to the Spanish Canary Islands, a gateway to the European Union, proved to be perilous for those onboard.
This heart-wrenching incident once again spotlights the immense challenges and risks that refugees and migrants undertake as they seek refuge from adversity.
Often relying on modest boats provided by smugglers, these individuals embark on treacherous voyages, highlighting the complexities of the ongoing migration crisis.
The Cape Verde episode echoes a similar tragedy from January, when rescue teams saved about 90 refugees and migrants stranded on a canoe, though two lives were tragically lost in that instance.
This heartrending event serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global collaboration to mitigate further loss of life.
It underscores the pressing responsibility to provide sanctuary and support to those who dare to brave the perilous waters in search of a safer and brighter future.
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