Cruise ship rescues 68 migrants, discovers five bodies in Atlantic Ocean

The Spanish Maritime Rescue Service announced on Thursday that a Cruise ship rescued 68 migrants stranded on a wooden fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean.

The agency reported that at least five refugees on the boat had died.

Reports indicate an oil tanker traveling from northwest Spain to Brazil spotted the boat approximately 815 kilometres south of one of the Canary Islands on Wednesday afternoon.

Spanish authorities said the yacht altered its course to rescue the migrants.

A spokesperson for the Maritime Rescue Service noted that it is unusual for yachts to rescue migrants on the Atlantic route.

The Canary Islands, part of Spain, are a destination for migrants who undertake the perilous Atlantic journey from northwest Africa in search of a better life in Europe.

Spain’s Ministry of the Interior reported that last year, 55,618 migrants arrived in Spain by boat via this route, nearly double the number in 2022.

The global refugee crisis remains dire, with millions displaced by conflict, persecution, and natural disasters.

Refugees face numerous challenges, including inadequate access to basic needs, safety, and legal protection.

Recent reports highlight the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey, raising concerns about the violation of their protection rights and international refugee laws.

The post Cruise ship rescues 68 migrants, discovers five bodies in Atlantic Ocean appeared first on Khaama Press.