DERA BAJWA, Pakistan: Amir Ali, a 21-year-old man from Pakistan, dreamed of going to Europe for a better life. He was promised a visa and a flight to Spain. But after six long months, four countries, and spending US$17,000, he found himself on a small fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean.

He was one of 86 people packed on board. The boat was filling with water, and people were screaming for help. Sadly, 44 Pakistanis died during the 10-day journey from Mauritania to Spain's Canary Islands in January.

This tragic story shows how dangerous and complex human smuggling has become, mainly from West Africa. Smugglers are now using longer and more dangerous routes to avoid stricter controls in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Amir's journey started in July. He paid an initial fee of 600,000 Pakistani rupees (about $2,127) and went to the airport in Karachi. He was told to wait until a shift change before going through immigration. According to Amir, the smugglers had help from airport staff. He and other migrants were quickly flown to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

From Ethiopia, Amir flew to Dakar, Senegal. He expected someone to meet him there, but no one came. Instead, he was told to travel by taxi for seven hours to the Senegal River, which borders Mauritania. He joined other Pakistanis heading to the capital, Nouakchott. Along the way, he had to pay bribes to get visas.

Another migrant, 42-year-old Imran Iqbal, took the same route. Some others went through Kenya or Zimbabwe to reach Mauritania. Once there, the migrants were kept in small, crowded houses. The smugglers took their passports, money, and even food. Amir said he felt like a prisoner. The smugglers beat them and moved them often, demanding more money.

Iqbal didn't tell his family what was happening. "If they had known, they would have been heartbroken," he said. The smugglers lied to their families in Pakistan, saying the men were fine and would call soon from Spain.

On January 2, the smugglers moved them to a boat heading to the Canary Islands. Amir said 64 Pakistanis from different houses were brought to the port. Even police and port officials helped the smugglers.

"The next 15 days were the hardest of my life," said Iqbal.

Mauritanian authorities have begun investigating smuggling networks and have increased checks at borders and ports. Even though fewer people are migrating to Europe, the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands has become more popular. Almost 47,000 people arrived there in 2024, up from 40,000 in 2023.

This route was once used mainly by West Africans, but now more people from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan are using it. Smugglers find migrants through local contacts and social media. On TikTok, some migrants show both the dangers and the beautiful parts of life in Europe. Spain is often just the first stop on the way to other countries like France or Italy.

Experts believe this route will be used even more. The ocean crossing is perilous. Some boats disappear completely. In 2023, over 1,100 migrants were reported dead or missing on this route, but the real number may be much higher. A Spanish group says almost 9,800 died last year.

The boat Amir and Iqbal were on was meant for 40 people but had more than double that. Fights broke out between different groups. The weather was bad, and the crew threw food and belongings overboard to keep the boat afloat. On the fifth day, someone died of a heart attack. Many others died from hunger and thirst or were killed.

Ali said the crew attacked them with hammers, killing 15 in one night. Finally, on the 10th day, a fishing boat rescued them. Only 12 bodies were brought back to Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities have arrested many people connected to the smugglers, but the real leaders often escape. Looking at big new houses built by migrants who made it to Europe, Amir said, "People like me see them and dream—without thinking."