Deadly Migrant Shipwreck Off Mauritania Claims Over 100 Lives
More than 100 migrants have died after their boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania this week, marking one of the deadliest incidents on the perilous Atlantic migration route to Europe, reports 24brussels.
The vessel sank near Lemhaisrat, approximately 117 kilometers from the capital, Nouakchott, on Wednesday. Search and rescue operations commenced the following day, resulting in the recovery of 20 bodies and the rescue of 17 individuals from the water. The majority of those on board hailed from Gambia and Senegal.
The Gambian Embassy in Nouakchott confirmed that at least 16 survivors were among the rescued, including five Gambians. By Friday, rescue teams had discovered an additional 51 bodies along the shoreline, pushing the confirmed death toll to over 100.
Mauritanian authorities, along with the Gambian Embassy, quickly organized burials in collaboration with the gendarmerie, police, firefighters, Red Cross personnel, and medical staff. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that approximately 160 individuals were aboard the vessel, with only 17 successfully rescued.
In a separate operation, Mauritanian authorities intercepted another boat coming from Senegal, ensuring the safety of all passengers. This incident brought the number of Gambian nationals under local protection to ten.
The Gambian Embassy is actively working with Mauritanian officials and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure the safety and repatriation of its citizens. The Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged young people to avoid hazardous sea crossings, announcing new awareness campaigns about the risks involved.
The Atlantic route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands remains one of the deadliest migration paths globally, with thousands losing their lives annually. Just days prior to the Mauritania tragedy, nearly 200 migrants, including women, children, and individuals with disabilities, attempted to swim from Morocco to Spain’s Ceuta enclave.
