The boat departed from Gambia seven days before the accident. The IOM did not disclose the nationalities of the deceased or explain how the boat capsized.
A desperate journey turned tragic when a boat carrying migrants capsized near Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, claiming at least 15 lives and leaving over 195 people missing. The disaster underscores the perilous risks faced by those attempting to reach safety and opportunity across treacherous waters. As rescue teams scramble to locate survivors, the incident sheds light on the growing crisis along the West Atlantic Route, where thousands risk everything for a chance at a better future.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of 15 migrants and the estimated disappearance at sea of 195-plus people after a boat capsized in Nouakchott,” stated IOM’s West and Central Africa office on X.
Rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing individuals. The boat departed from Gambia seven days before the accident. The IOM did not disclose the nationalities of the deceased or explain how the boat capsized. CNN has contacted the UN agency for further information.
This tragedy highlights the increasing migration along the West Atlantic Route. In 2024, more than 19,700 migrants have reached the Canary Islands via this route, compared to 7,590 during the same period in 2023. According to IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, there have been over 4,500 deaths and disappearances on this route since 2014, including over 1,950 last year, the second-highest on record.
Since June 2024, more than 76 boats with approximately 6,130 surviving migrants have landed in Mauritania, with at least 190 reported dead or missing, as per the IOM’s statement. This ongoing crisis underscores the dangers faced by those attempting this perilous journey.
