At least one person has tragically lost their lives while attempting to reach Spain on a boat that departed from sub-Saharan Africa. This comes just a day after over a dozen individuals on a similar journey drowned near Senegal.

The Spanish coastguard managed to rescue a boat near the island of Gran Canaria on Tuesday, saving 84 people, but unfortunately, one person did not survive. The Atlantic migration route to Spain's Canary Islands has proven to be extremely dangerous for those attempting to make the journey.

Thousands of people from sub-Saharan African countries risk their lives in overcrowded boats every year, with devastating consequences. Last month alone, a boat capsized near the Spanish islands, resulting in the deaths of up to 39 people.

In the recent incident, eight survivors were taken to the hospital, while emergency services on the scene provided blankets and assistance to others in need. The boat was located 8.5 nautical miles away from Gran Canaria island and the passengers were brought to the port in Arguineguin at around 5 am.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported alarming statistics regarding the dangers of this route. In 2021, out of the 2,556 individuals who lost their lives attempting to reach Europe, 1,126 were on the West Africa and Atlantic route to Spain.

There have been 45 recorded shipwrecks along this route in 2022, resulting in the death or disappearance of 543 migrants. To address this ongoing crisis, the European Commission unveiled a strategy in June aimed at managing migration along the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes.

This plan includes measures to combat smuggling and enhance coordination with non-European Union countries such as Morocco. However, NGOs and human rights organizations have criticized European nations for disregarding the lives of refugees and failing to learn from past experiences.

In a letter released on World Refugee Day, approximately 180 human rights organizations condemned the EU's deadly lockdown policies and its lack of commitment to ending the tragedies in the Mediterranean. The latest migration agreement on asylum procedures was cited as an example of escalating policies that contribute to the loss of lives.

The urgent need for comprehensive and compassionate solutions to this humanitarian crisis is evident. It is crucial for nations to prioritize the protection and wellbeing of refugees and migrants, rather than turning a blind eye to their suffering.