Nouadhibou, Mauritania – Mauritanian authorities, in cooperation with the coast guard and maritime rescue units, are intensifying their search for 122 irregular migrants who went missing after their boat nearly sank off the Mauritanian coast. This latest incident highlights the growing dangers faced by migrants attempting irregular crossings to Europe.
Authorities confirmed that rescue teams pulled dozens of survivors from the water, with 37 people rescued and one body recovered. More than 100 people remain missing, and sea and air searches are ongoing to locate survivors or determine the fate of the missing.
Survivors reported that the boat was carrying approximately 160 people of various African nationalities. It had departed from a port in West Africa bound for the Spanish Canary Islands before suffering a mechanical failure at sea. The boat drifted for days, running out of fuel, supplies, and drinking water, leaving the passengers in dire humanitarian conditions.
The survivors added that the passengers suffered from hunger, thirst, and extreme exhaustion due to their prolonged stay at sea. Mauritanian coast guard patrols eventually reached the boat and rescued those still on board. It is believed that some of the missing may have fallen into the sea during the voyage.
The survivors were transported to Nouadhibou, where they received first aid and medical care. Several are currently receiving treatment for dehydration and severe exhaustion, in addition to receiving humanitarian assistance from relevant authorities.
The Mauritanian coast is a major route for irregular migration to the Canary Islands. Thousands of migrants attempt this perilous sea crossing annually, exploiting the vulnerabilities of those seeking to migrate. This leads to recurring tragedies and the loss of hundreds of lives in the Atlantic Ocean.
