Morocco remains a pivotal and sensitive hotspot on irregular migration routes across the Middle East and North Africa. In 2024, hundreds of migrant deaths and disappearances were recorded along its borders. These figures reflect a continued surge in activity on maritime migration routes, both across the Mediterranean Sea and along the Atlantic route toward the Canary Islands. A report released Wednesday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals that irregular migration across and within the Middle East and North Africa continues to take a devastating toll in 2024. Thousands of people have embarked on perilous journeys seeking safety, protection, and hope for a better future. According to data from IOM's Missing Migrants Project, at least 3,488 deaths and disappearances were recorded in the region this year. The report notes that this figure likely underestimates the true scale, as many deaths remain unreported. Of the 3,488 individuals documented as having died or disappeared along migration routes within or originating from the region, around 60% remain unidentified. Drowning remains the leading cause of death, while fatalities due to exposure, accidents, and violence have increased along several land and sea routes. The Mediterranean Route The Central Mediterranean route continues to be the deadliest sea passage in the region, with over 1,700 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2024. Tunisia and Libya remain major departure points for migrants attempting the dangerous crossing to Europe. At least 581 deaths and disappearances were recorded in 2024 across Algeria (288), Morocco (198), and Spain (95), marking this route as one of the most active and hazardous in the Middle East and North Africa. In Morocco, some deaths occurred during attempts to reach Almería, while many bodies were found near Ceuta, off the coasts of Nador, Fnideq, and Boukané. Numerous drownings involved individuals trying to swim across maritime borders, especially around Tarajal and Chorrillo. Kenitra emerged as a hotspot with 75 deaths or disappearances reported, highlighting increased activity in less-monitored coastal areas. The report also noted ongoing fatalities near Tangier and the Driouch region, where several boats attempting to reach southern Spain, Ceuta, or Melilla met tragic ends. The Atlantic Route The Atlantic maritime route from West Africa to the Canary Islands recorded the highest death toll since data collection began, with 1,095 deaths and disappearances—including 138 off the Moroccan coast. This surge reflects a worrying trend toward longer, more dangerous sea journeys to the Canary Islands, driven by limited safe alternatives. This route connects West African coastal countries—particularly Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco—with the Spanish Canary Islands, creating a highly perilous maritime corridor to Europe. Often seen as an alternative by migrants and smugglers alike, the journey is significantly longer and riskier, with boats frequently losing contact or capsizing far from shore. Key departure points include northern Senegal, southern Morocco, and Mauritania, while the Canary Islands serve as the main European entry point. In 2024, 46,843 migrants arrived via this route, up from 39,910 in 2023, demonstrating continued reliance on this high-risk passage. The majority of arrivals were from Mali (16,773), Senegal (12,877), Guinea (4,176), Morocco (3,939), and Mauritania (3,100). The report calls on countries to enhance forensic capacities for body recovery, identification, and dignified handling. It urges the establishment of regional standards and protocols for identifying remains, repatriation, and family notification, especially along high-mortality routes such as those in Libya, Egypt, and Morocco.
