144 migrants dead or missing after shipwreck off Mauritania on Canary Islands route
via SeneNews2 min read
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR announced that 144 people have died or are missing at sea off the coast of Mauritania in the past week. These incidents occurred on the migration route from West Africa to Europe. One vessel, which departed from Bufalo, Gambia, intending to reach Spain, was rescued on July 18 after drifting for nearly 25 days in the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 181 people on board, only 38 survived, with 143 others dead or missing. The UNHCR also reported another death among passengers from a vessel that disembarked on July 14, bringing the total number of victims to 144 for this period. Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesperson, stated that these tragedies highlight the significant human cost on this migratory route. Between July 14 and 18, three rescue and disembarkation operations in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, saved 387 people. The UNHCR notes that the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands remains one of the deadliest globally due to long distances, unpredictable weather, overcrowded boats, and difficulties in rapid rescue. Despite a 61% decrease in arrivals to the Canary Islands compared to 2025, with approximately 4,400 arrivals recorded by July 15, 2025, many migrants continue to take considerable risks to reach Europe. Since the beginning of the year, over 40,000 people have arrived in Europe via major maritime routes. In Mauritania, 17 disembarkation operations have been recorded in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, assisting 2,147 people since January 2025. Thi
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