Mali's minister for Malians living abroad, Mossa Ag Attaher, announced that nearly 70 migrants lost their lives after a ship bound for Spain sank earlier this month.
In a press release on Thursday, the minister revealed that the boat carrying 80 migrants sank on December 19, leaving only 11 survivors.
According to the Ministry, “unfortunately, 25 young Malians have been formally identified among the victims,” while nine Malian survivors have been identified.
The Atlantic route from West Africa to Spain's Canary Islands remains one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.
For many immigrants from Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and neighboring countries, the Canary Islands are seen as a gateway to mainland Europe, offering hope for economic opportunity or escape from violence and instability.
According to ABC News, several of the Malian victims came from the Kayes region in the west of the country. This was confirmed on Friday by Doulaye Keita, an advisor to the ministry.
“Among the 25 Malians killed, there are 8 Malians from my commune,” said Mamadou Siby, mayor of the Marena commune in Kayes, in a statement to the Associated Press.
“These dead young people left my commune seven months ago to work in the construction industry in Mauritania. Unfortunately, they were in contact with their friends in Europe and America, who encouraged them to come to these countries and, in most cases, they undertook the dangerous journey without even informing their families at home,” Siby explained.