Over 140 Migrants Dead or Missing Off Mauritania Coast

At least 143 refugees and migrants are confirmed dead or missing following a maritime disaster off the coast of Mauritania, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The vessel, which departed from Bafuloto, The Gambia, arrived at the port of Nouadhibou on July 18 after drifting for 25 days with only 38 survivors on board.

The tragedy occurred amid a surge in maritime activity along the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, a path the UNHCR identifies as one of the world's deadliest. Mauritanian coastguard officials reported that the vessel ran out of fuel while carrying approximately 160 passengers. This incident follows a series of three separate rescue operations conducted between July 14 and July 18, which successfully recovered 387 individuals from other distressed vessels in the region.

The increase in fatalities coincides with intensified migration enforcement measures. European Union-funded crackdowns in Mauritania have led to widespread deportations, forcing migrants to seek longer, more hazardous routes from further south along the African coast. The UNHCR continues to advocate for expanded legal pathways and economic opportunities to mitigate the reliance on these high-risk maritime crossings.