The United Nations refugee agency has expressed deep sorrow following a series of maritime tragedies off the coast of Mauritania, where nearly 150 people were reported dead or missing last week. These incidents occurred between July 14 and July 18 as individuals attempted to navigate the treacherous waters toward Europe.
According to the agency, 144 individuals are currently classified as dead or missing, while 387 people were successfully rescued. Mauritania’s coast guard reported that one of these incidents involved a boat carrying 160 passengers from Gambia toward the Canary Islands. The vessel reportedly ran out of fuel and remained stranded at sea for 25 days, with the coast guard noting that 122 people went missing in that specific event. In a separate operation on Saturday, the coast guard rescued 179 people who had departed from Senegal. Officials have noted that there is currently a discrepancy in the reported figures.
Mauritanian waters have increasingly become a primary transit point for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who are seeking better economic opportunities in Europe. The UN agency described the route to the Canary Islands as one of the deadliest in the world, citing the extreme distances involved and the frequent use of overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels.
