At least 144 refugees and migrants have been reported dead or missing following a series of maritime incidents off the coast of Mauritania, underscoring the persistent dangers of the Atlantic migration route from West Africa to Europe's Atlantic islands. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) confirmed that three rescue operations were conducted from the Mauritanian port city of Nouadhibou between 14 and 18 July, bringing 387 people safely ashore.
The deadliest incident involved a vessel that departed from Bufuloto in The Gambia, bound for Spain's Canary Islands—a journey of 905 nautical miles (1,677 kilometres). The boat was rescued on Saturday after drifting at sea for nearly 25 days, but only 38 of its passengers survived. UNHCR reported that 143 others aboard were dead or missing.
In a statement, the agency noted: “Among the survivors were two children, who had lost all their family members during the journey and are now recovering in hospital with other survivors.” A further death was recorded among people rescued from another vessel on 14 July.
UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva: “The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe, highlighting the continued human cost of these dangerous routes.”
Atlantic Route: A Deadly Corridor
The Atlantic route to Spain's Canary Islands remains one of the world's deadliest migration corridors, according to UNHCR. The vast distances, unpredictable weather, overcrowded and unseaworthy boats, and limited opportunities for timely rescue contribute to the high death toll. The agency has renewed calls for stronger international cooperation to save lives and expand safe migration pathways.
This tragedy comes amid broader European debates on migration policy. The European Union has been grappling with how to manage irregular arrivals while upholding humanitarian obligations. The UNHCR has urged the EU to assess individual cases before returning migrants under the new pact, emphasizing the need for due process. Meanwhile, the UK High Court recently ruled that migrant removal to France was unlawful in a human trafficking case, highlighting legal complexities in cross-border migration management.
The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago, have become a focal point for migration from West Africa. Local authorities have sought innovative solutions, such as the voluntary tourist tax to fund local sustainability projects, which also aims to support integration efforts. However, the scale of arrivals continues to strain resources.
Survivors of the latest incident are receiving medical care in Nouadhibou, with psychological support for the two orphaned children. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of Europe's external borders and the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life at sea.
