NOUADHIBOU, Mauritania — At least 143 refugees and migrants have died or remain missing after a boat carrying people from West Africa drifted in the Atlantic Ocean for 25 days before reaching Mauritania with survivors and bodies on board, the United Nations refugee agency has confirmed.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it was “extremely saddened” by the tragedy, describing the Atlantic migration route towards Spain’s Canary Islands as one of the world’s deadliest.
The vessel, which departed from Bafuloto in The Gambia, was rescued on July 18 and arrived at the port of Nouadhibou carrying 38 survivors and the bodies of those who did not survive the journey, according to UNHCR.
“Among the survivors of that ship were two children who have lost all their family members during the journey, and they are recovering in hospital,” UNHCR spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva.
Mauritania’s coastguard said 122 people remained missing after the boat, which had been carrying about 160 passengers, ran out of fuel during the crossing.
The victims were from several sub-Saharan African countries, although authorities have not released further details about their identities or the causes of death.
The disaster comes despite recent rescue efforts in the region.
The UNHCR said three operations between July 14 and 18 had saved 387 people from other boats stranded off the Mauritanian coast.
The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands has become a major migration corridor for people seeking safety and economic opportunities in Europe.
The journey is particularly dangerous because of the long distances, harsh ocean conditions and the frequent use of overcrowded, poorly equipped boats.
UNHCR has called for expanded access to education, employment and other opportunities in countries of origin to reduce the pressure driving people to attempt the dangerous crossings.
Mauritania has emerged as one of the main departure points for migrants and refugees attempting to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory off the coast of Africa.
In recent years, European Union-backed measures to reduce departures have led to increased maritime patrols and deportations, while rights groups have warned that some migrants are being pushed towards even more dangerous routes.
