NOUAKCHOTT: At least 25 people were killed and more than 150 were missing after a boat carrying around 300 passengers capsized near Mauritania’s capital Nouakchott on Monday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Wednesday.
The incident occurred along the dangerous Atlantic migration route, notorious for its treacherous conditions, which many African migrants brave in attempts to reach the Canary Islands and, ultimately, Spain. This route is recognized as one of the deadliest migration paths globally, especially during the busy summer months.
According to the IOM, Mauritanian coastguard teams managed to rescue 120 persons from the water. Ten survivors were transported to local hospitals for urgent medical attention, while search and rescue operations continued unabated to locate the missing passengers.
Reports indicate that the ill-fated journey began in Gambia, with the passengers enduring a harrowing seven days at sea before tragedy struck in Mauritanian waters.
Ibba Sarr, a fishmonger at a fish market along the waterside in Nouakchott, described the aftermath of the disaster, noting that recent strong winds had pushed bodies closer to the shore. Sarr recounted witnessing the recovery of approximately 30 bodies from the beach, with expectations of more casualties being found in the coming days.
“The stricken pirogue was located 400 meters north of the market,” Sarr reported.
Despite the magnitude of the incident, Mauritanian authorities have yet to provide an official statement or response to inquiries from Reuters regarding the capsizing and its aftermath.
READ ALSO: Israeli Shelling in Gaza Humanitarian Zone Kills 16, Evacuation Ordered
The latest catastrophe underscores the grave risks faced by migrants embarking on perilous sea journeys, driven by desperation and hopes of a better future in Europe. The Canary Islands have witnessed a significant influx of migrants via the Atlantic route, with the IOM reporting that over 19,700 persons arrived between January 1 and July 15, 2024, marking a stark 160% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
Migration rights group Walking Borders highlighted the dire toll of such crossings, revealing that nearly 5,000 migrants lost their lives at sea in the first five months of 2024 alone, attempting to navigate the challenging waters to reach the Spanish archipelago.
