The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported a tragic shipwreck off the coast of Mauritania, resulting in the deaths of fifteen migrants with over 190 still missing. The incident occurred near the capital city of Nouakchott, where a rescue operation is currently underway to locate and save those in distress.
According to the Mauritian coastguard, 120 individuals have been rescued, including four unaccompanied children. The migrants had embarked on a perilous journey from Gambia, boarding a wooden pirogue boat with approximately 300 people on board. After spending seven days at sea, the boat capsized on July 22nd, leading to this devastating outcome.
Upon the coastguard’s arrival, fifteen bodies were confirmed dead, while ten others were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Ibba Sarr, a fishmonger at a local fish market, described how strong winds had brought the bodies closer to the shore, with around 30 bodies being recovered so far.
This tragic incident follows a similar one on July 5th, where the Mauritanian coastguards recovered the bodies of 89 migrants from another capsized boat. Many of these migrants were reportedly attempting to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory located off the coast of Morocco, known for being one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
In the first five months of 2024, over 5,000 migrants lost their lives trying to reach Spain by sea, as reported by the charity Ca-minando Fronteras. Despite the risks, the number of arrivals in the Canary Islands has more than doubled from the previous year, with 40,000 people reaching the territory in 2023.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the European Union provided Mauritania with €210 million in aid, with a significant portion allocated towards combating undocumented migration to Europe. The tragic loss of life in these shipwrecks serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants seeking a better life, and the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to address this humanitarian crisis.
