At least 89 migrants and refugees bound for Europe have died, with dozens still missing, after their boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania. The tragedy occurred about 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) from the southwestern coastal city of Ndiago, as reported by the Mauritanian state media. The Mauritanian coastguard has recovered 89 bodies and managed to rescue nine survivors, including a five-year-old girl.
Survivors indicated that the fishing vessel departed from the border of Senegal and Gambia with 170 people on board, leaving 72 still unaccounted for. The senior government official confirmed these details to the AFP news agency. The incident was attributed to strong winds and high waves on the perilous Atlantic route, notorious for its hazardous conditions and strong currents. Migrants often travel in overcrowded, unseaworthy boats lacking sufficient drinking water.
Earlier this year, the European Union pledged financial support worth €210 million ($229 million) to Mauritania, aimed at addressing migration issues and providing humanitarian aid for migrants. This agreement came amidst a significant rise in the number of migrants embarking from Mauritania toward Spain’s Canary Islands, which are approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) off Africa’s northwest coast. According to Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish charity, over 5,000 people died attempting to reach Spain by sea in the first five months of this year, with the majority perishing on the Atlantic route.
In addition to the dangers at sea, many migrants face perilous land journeys. A recent report from the United Nations refugee and migration agencies and the Mixed Migration Centre highlighted that deaths among those crossing the Sahara desert are presumed to be double those occurring at sea. The report, based on three years of research, indicated that instability and conflict in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan are driving increased migration towards the Mediterranean. Over 1,180 people are known to have died crossing the Sahara from January 2020 to May 2024, but the actual toll is likely much higher. This year alone, more than 72,000 people have taken land routes to the Mediterranean, with 785 reported dead or missing.
Libya has emerged as a major transit point for people fleeing conflict and poverty. In March, authorities discovered a mass grave containing at least 65 bodies in Libya’s western deserts. The report also noted that Algeria, Libya, and Ethiopia are considered the most dangerous transit countries, with numerous cases of organ removals being reported. Migrants have either agreed to organ removals as a means of earning money or, more commonly, have had organs removed without their consent after being drugged.
This tragic situation emphasizes the severe risks and desperate circumstances that migrants and refugees face in their pursuit of a better life. It highlights the urgent need for the international community to continue providing support and effective solutions to address these ongoing humanitarian crises.