A vessel carrying migrants and refugees from sub-Saharan Africa sank or became stranded off the coast of Mauritania, resulting in significant loss of life. The boat departed from Bafuloto in The Gambia and remained adrift for 25 days before being rescued and arriving at the port of Nouadhibou on July 18. Upon arrival, the vessel carried 38 survivors along with the remains of those who had perished during the journey.
The UN refugee agency reported that at least 143 people are dead or missing from the incident, while Mauritania’s coastguard cited 122 missing persons. The boat had originally departed with approximately 160 people aboard and ran out of fuel during its passage. According to UN representatives, two children who survived the journey lost all family members and were receiving hospital care.
Rescue operations in the region between July 14 and 18 saved 387 people from other stranded vessels, though this did not prevent the tragedy aboard the vessel in question. An additional fatality was recorded from another vessel that reached Mauritania on July 14. The deceased were identified as nationals from various sub-Saharan African countries, though specific details regarding the circumstances of their deaths were not disclosed.
The route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, which form part of Spanish territory, has been designated by the UN as among the world’s most dangerous migration corridors. Factors contributing to the high mortality rate include the extended distances involved and the prevalence of overcrowded, structurally compromised vessels. Mauritania serves as a major departure point along the Atlantic route, with tens of thousands of migrants attempting the crossing annually.
International authorities have attributed recent changes in migration patterns to enforcement actions. An EU-funded initiative has led to increased deportations by Mauritanian authorities and intensified restrictions on departures, which some analysts suggest has pushed migrants toward longer and more perilous alternative routes originating from locations further south along the coast.
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