Tragedy: At least 70 fatalities, with an estimated 30 more missing, following a boat carrying migrants flipping in waters close to West Africa
A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Mauritania, where a boat carrying at least 150 migrants capsized, resulting in the death of at least 70 people. According to reports, another 30 individuals are feared dead after the boat sank.
The vessel is believed to have departed from Gambia and carried mostly Gambian and Senegalese nationals. The boat was attempting to reach Europe via the Atlantic migration route from the coast of West Africa to the Canary Islands, a perilous journey for undocumented migrants.
Strong ocean currents and ramshackle vessels contribute to the danger of this sea crossing. Drownings are common during the journey, making it a perilous journey for those seeking a better life in Europe.
The search results do not provide the name of the captain of the boat that sank off the coast of Mauritania. However, the NGO Caminando Fronteras has provided data on migrant deaths in 2024, revealing that at least 10,457 migrants died while attempting to reach Spain by sea. This number is higher than in 2023, with the daily average of migrant deaths increasing from around 18 to 30.
Mauritania serves as a key staging post for undocumented migrants from across the African continent embarking on this dangerous sea route to Europe. The Gambian foreign affairs ministry has urged its nationals to refrain from embarking on such perilous journeys.
In response to the tragedy, the European Union reported that more than 46,000 irregular migrants reached the Canary Islands last year, a record. The data on migrant deaths in 2024 does not include fatalities from other years or regions.
Witness accounts suggest over 100 people may have died in the incident. At least 70 bodies were recovered on Wednesday and Thursday. The loss of life serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by migrants seeking a better life in Europe.
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