Kokcha News Agency*– A migrant boat carrying approximately 150 people, mostly from Gambia and Senegal, capsized off the coast of Mauritania, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 people, with over 30 still missing.
The Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the boat, which departed from Gambia on August 27, sank near Mauritania. Mauritanian authorities recovered the bodies of 70 victims between August 27 and 28, while 16 people were rescued.
The ministry urged Gambian citizens to “avoid these dangerous journeys, which continue to result in significant loss of life.”
Meanwhile, local media reports suggest that the death toll could exceed 100.
The Atlantic migration route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands is one of the most dangerous and frequently used paths for migrants attempting to reach Europe from Africa.
According to European Union (EU) data, over 46,000 irregular migrants reached the Canary Islands last year.
The Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) reported that more than 10,000 people lost their lives during these journeys in the same period, marking a 58% increase compared to 2023.
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