At Least 69 Die as Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Mauritania En Route to Canary Islands

A migrant boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania this week, resulting in the deaths of at least 69 people, with dozens more reported missing. The tragic incident highlights the perils of the increasingly dangerous Atlantic migration route used by individuals seeking to reach Europe’s Canary Islands.
According to survivors and officials, the vessel had departed from The Gambia nearly a week prior, carrying approximately 160 passengers. So far, only 17 individuals have been rescued. Coastguard and rescue teams continue to scour the area about 60 kilometers north of Nouakchott with underwater operations underway to locate those still unaccounted for.
The victims are believed to include nationals from various West African countries. Among those confirmed dead, 25 were Malians hailing from the Kayes region, many of whom had initially traveled to Mauritania for work and were propelled to undertake this treacherous journey, often based on encouragement from acquaintances living abroad.
This catastrophe is among the deadliest yet recorded on the Atlantic migration route, which has seen a sharp surge in crossings and fatalities in recent years. Last year alone, European NGOs reported tens of thousands of arrivals in the Canary Islands, alongside a mounting death toll that underscores the urgent need for safer migration pathways and expanded search-and-rescue capabilities.

Sources: BBC News, AP News, Daily Jang