Spain Rescues Migrants in Fishing Boat, But Others Still Lost at Sea

Spanish authorities saved a boat filled with migrants who had traveled from Africa. But there are still other boats missing in the Atlantic Ocean. All of the boats likely traveled from Africa to the Canary Islands.  

Around 80 men and six women were found on a wooden fishing boat 72 miles from Gran Canaria. This is a part of a group of Spanish islands near northwestern Africa. An aid group called Caminando Fronteras told European sea authorities about the missing boats in June. 

Many people try to get to Europe from North Africa by boat. But these journeys can be very dangerous. Since 2014, over 21,000 people have died on water routes in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. These people are fleeing things like poverty, violence, or war. Many of the migrants come from places like Syria, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, and Senegal. They often get on boats that don't have the right equipment for long trips. So, they can get lost at sea.   

Last month, a boat filled with hundreds of people flipped over off the coast of Greece. Everyone on the ship died. Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has been very tough on migration. People have criticized him for not doing enough to save the migrants. But he says it's not just his country's job to control the migration route. He thinks it's a problem for all of Europe and needs to be solved together.

The problem has caused a lot of disagreement among Europeans. It's even changed the region's politics. The parliament in the Netherlands fell apart on Friday, mainly because of arguments over immigration.  

Reflect: What are some ways countries can show empathy and understanding towards migrants who are seeking refuge and a better life?