Migrant Tragedy struck off the coast of Mauritania as a boat carrying around 150 people capsized, leaving at least 70 confirmed dead and dozens more missing. Survivors revealed the vessel had departed from Gambia, highlighting once again the dangers of the West Africa migration route to Europe.
Migrant Tragedy has claimed the lives of more than 70 people after a migrant boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean near Mauritania. The vessel, which was carrying mostly Gambians and Senegalese nationals, had set sail from Gambia with an estimated 150 passengers before it sank earlier this week. Authorities say the search and recovery operation is ongoing, with fears that the final death toll could be significantly higher.
According to Gambia’s foreign ministry, Mauritanian officials recovered 70 bodies between Wednesday and Thursday. Around 16 survivors were pulled from the wreckage, but many more remain unaccounted for. Officials estimate that at least 30 people are still missing, sparking urgent rescue efforts along the West African coast.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the tragedy may have claimed over 100 lives, making it one of the deadliest recent incidents on this perilous migration route. Survivors described harrowing scenes as the overcrowded wooden vessel overturned in rough waters, leaving passengers struggling to stay afloat before rescuers arrived.
The boat was headed for Spain’s Canary Islands, a dangerous but increasingly used entry point into Europe. In recent years, thousands of West Africans have attempted this journey despite the risks, driven by poverty, unemployment, and the hope for a better life. The Atlantic route, however, is notorious for its treacherous waters, long distances, and high fatality rates.
The Gambian government expressed its condolences to the victims’ families and urged citizens to avoid such risky voyages. Officials stressed that efforts are underway to support survivors and coordinate with Mauritanian authorities on repatriation and further search operations. Humanitarian groups have also called for stronger international cooperation to address the root causes of migration in the region.
This disaster has renewed global concern over migrant safety and the desperate conditions pushing people to undertake life-threatening journeys. Advocacy groups argue that without expanded legal migration pathways and regional development initiatives, tragedies like this will continue to occur. The Migrant Tragedy off Mauritania now stands as a grim reminder of the human cost of irregular migration.
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