فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Boujdour – In a tragic humanitarian development, Moroccan migrant families have launched an urgent appeal to Moroccan and Spanish authorities, demanding the activation of immediate search and rescue operations for an illegal migrant boat lost in the Atlantic Ocean since Thursday, October 16, 2025. The boat departed from the shores of Boujdour toward the Spanish Canary Islands, carrying 47 people, including one woman and minors, who are currently considered missing. This call comes amid rising incidents of irregular migration toward Europe, with thousands of casualties reported along maritime routes during 2025.
Incident Details and Background
According to the affected families, the missing boat undertook a desperate attempt to reach the Canaries, which have become a primary destination for migrants from West Africa and Morocco following tightened Mediterranean patrols. The passengers include young Moroccans, minors, and one woman, facing severe economic and social challenges in desert regions. No contact from the boat has been recorded since departure, raising families’ fears of a potential disaster due to strong Atlantic currents and limited safety equipment on such journeys.
Similar reports mention other boats lost during the same period, including one carrying over 50 migrants from Boujdour. One father, Saad Elkharoubi, issued a distress call describing the panic among families. Human rights associations in Agadir also reported the disappearance of another boat carrying 44 people from Dakhla on September 24, mostly Moroccans, reflecting a growing wave of secret migration in recent months.
General Context of Irregular Migration to the Canary Islands
The year 2025 witnessed a dramatic increase in migration attempts across the Atlantic, with Spanish authorities recording about 47,000 arrivals to the Canaries, mostly from Morocco and West African countries. According to the rights group Camino Frontiers, over 10,000 people died or went missing along this route during the year due to boat capsizes or lack of assistance. The Missing Migrants organization of the International Organization for Migration reported numerous incidents in October 2025, including rescue of survivors and missing persons off Moroccan coasts.
| Incident | Date | Number of Passengers | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boujdour Boat | October 16, 2025 | 47 (including minors and one woman) | Completely missing; urgent search ongoing |
| Second Boujdour Boat | October 19, 2025 | Over 50 | Intensive search in Spanish shelters |
| Dakhla Boat | September 24, 2025 | 44 (27 Moroccans) | Lost contact; fears of sinking |
Families’ Appeal and Human Rights Demands
Grieving families appeal to Moroccan authorities, especially the Ministry of Interior and Royal Armed Forces, in coordination with Spanish authorities and the coast guard, to activate immediate search mechanisms using planes and ships. They also call on international organizations like the International Organization for Migration to amplify humanitarian efforts. In a joint statement, groups such as the Moroccan Association for Migrants’ Assistance urged a national dialogue on migration causes, emphasizing the growth of human trafficking networks and the risk of minors’ involvement.
Human rights organizations expressed concern that these incidents reveal a “continuing humanitarian crisis,” advocating for enhanced international cooperation to prevent further loss of life. They also stressed the need to improve legal migration channels to avoid such dangers.
Legal and International Framework
The appeal aligns with international conventions like the Geneva Refugee Convention and European Union migration agreements, which impose on signatory states the duty to conduct rescue operations at sea. Spanish authorities have affirmed their commitment to search operations in past incidents, but families accuse delays of contributing to increased casualties. Ultimately, this tragedy is a painful reminder of the urgent need for a swift humanitarian response to save lives and calls for addressing the root causes of migration.
