Tragic Capsize off Mauritania Claims 89 Migrant Lives

A catastrophic maritime disaster off the coast of Mauritania has resulted in the deaths of at least 89 migrants, with dozens more reported missing. The incident occurred earlier this week when a large traditional fishing boat capsized approximately four kilometers (2.5 miles) from the south-western city of Ndiago. The Mauritanian state news agency and a senior local government official confirmed the grim details on Thursday.

Survivors reported that the boat had departed from the border region between Senegal and Gambia, carrying 170 passengers. This leaves around 72 individuals unaccounted for. The Mauritanian coastguard managed to rescue nine people, including a five-year-old girl.

The perilous Atlantic route, chosen by the ill-fated migrants, is notorious for its strong currents and the use of overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels lacking sufficient drinking water. Despite these dangers, this route has become increasingly popular due to heightened surveillance in the Mediterranean.

In 2023, the number of migrants arriving by boat at Spain’s Canary Islands more than doubled to a record 39,910. These islands, located off the coast of North Africa, are the closest European territory, yet many boats embark on their treacherous journeys from much further afield, including Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Gambia, and Senegal.

According to Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish charity, over 5,000 migrants died attempting to reach Spain by sea in the first five months of this year. This alarming figure, equating to 33 deaths per day, represents the highest daily mortality rate since the charity began tracking such data in 2007, with the majority of deaths occurring along the Atlantic route.

This tragedy highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by migrants seeking safer and better lives in Europe, often at great personal risk.