Migrant Boat Sinks Off Canary Islands

Hopes are fading for 48 migrants missing after their boat sank off the Canary Islands, marking a potential humanitarian crisis, the worst in three decades. Nine individuals, including a child, have been confirmed dead, while 27 survivors were rescued during a difficult operation hampered by poor visibility and strong winds. The migrants, primarily from Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal, were attempting the perilous crossing from Nouadhibou, Mauritania, when they called for help shortly before the vessel capsized. Officials have indicated that the number of missing could exceed 50 as new data suggests the boat may have carried up to 90 people. The incident reflects a significant rise in migrant crossings to the Canary Islands, with over 21,000 recorded this year alone, and highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region. Authorities are bracing for the possibility of recovering more bodies in the coming days as search efforts continue.