120 missing as boat capsized off Mauritania coast leaving 15 dead 

A tragic maritime incident occurred off Mauritania coast, where a boat carrying approximately 300 migrants capsized, resulting in at least 15 confirmed deaths and over 150 individuals reported missing. This event highlights the ongoing dangers faced by those attempting to reach Europe via perilous sea routes.

On July 22, 2024, the boat, which had set sail from The Gambia, capsized near Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, after enduring a week at sea. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the vessel was a wooden fishing boat, commonly referred to as a pirogue, which is often used for such dangerous crossings. 

Casualties and Rescue Efforts off the Mauritania coast

Confirmed Deaths: Initial reports confirmed 15 fatalities, with the death toll likely to rise as search efforts continue.

Missing Persons: Over 150 individuals remain unaccounted for, raising fears that many may have perished in the incident.

Survivors: The Mauritanian coastguard successfully rescued 120 people, among whom 10 required urgent medical treatment. Additionally, four unaccompanied minors were identified among the survivors.

Local sources indicated that strong winds and rough seas contributed to the boat’s capsizing, and bodies began washing ashore in the days following the incident. Eyewitnesses reported that approximately 30 bodies were discovered along the coastline, with expectations that more will surface as recovery operations proceed.

Context of Migration through the Mauritania coast

The Atlantic route from West Africa to Europe, particularly to Spain’s Canary Islands, has become increasingly perilous. As surveillance in the Mediterranean has intensified, many migrants have shifted their focus to this alternative route, which is fraught with danger due to overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels. 

Rising Migration Numbers

Increase in Attempts: In the first half of 2024, over 19,700 migrants reached the Canary Islands via the Atlantic route, representing a 160% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Death Toll: Tragically, more than 5,000 migrants died attempting to reach Spain by sea in the first five months of this year, averaging 33 deaths per day, the highest rate recorded since tracking began in 2007.

Underlying Causes of Migration

Many migrants embarking on these dangerous journeys are fleeing political instability, economic hardship, and environmental challenges in their home countries. In particular, individuals from Gambia and Senegal have been increasingly driven to seek better opportunities in Europe due to rising food prices, diminishing fish stocks, and a lack of viable alternatives for migration.

International Response

The European Union has pledged financial assistance to Mauritania to help manage migration and provide humanitarian support. However, rights organizations argue that such measures are insufficient to deter individuals from undertaking these perilous journeys, as many are motivated by desperation and the hope for a better future.

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