Boat Carrying African Migrants Ends in Tragedy Off Mauritania Coast

More than 140 refugees and migrants are feared dead or missing after a boat carrying Africans bound for Europe drifted for nearly a month off the coast of Mauritania, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has said.

The boat reportedly left The Gambia with about 160 people on board before running out of fuel and becoming stranded at sea for 25 days.

It was eventually rescued on July 18 and taken to the Mauritanian port of Nouadhibou.

Only 38 survivors were found, while several bodies were recovered.

Among those rescued were two children who lost their entire families during the journey and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Mauritanian authorities said 122 passengers remain unaccounted for, bringing the total number of people believed dead or missing to at least 143.

Another migrant also died on a separate vessel that arrived in Mauritania earlier in the month.

The UNHCR described the Atlantic route to Spain’s Canary Islands as one of the world’s most dangerous migration corridors, with many migrants risking their lives in overcrowded and unsafe boats in search of better opportunities in Europe.

The agency called for greater investment in education, jobs and safe migration pathways to help reduce the growing number of deaths along the route.

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