Nearly 90 migrants died and dozens more are missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania earlier this week, authorities reported on Thursday.
The Mauritanian coast guard recovered the bodies of 89 people from the large traditional fishing boat that went down on July 1st in the Atlantic Ocean, about four kilometers from the southwestern city of Ndiago, according to the state news agency.
Nine survivors, including a young girl, were rescued by the coast guard.
Survivors reportedly told authorities the vessel had departed from the border of Senegal and Gambia with approximately 170 people on board, leaving an estimated 72 unaccounted for.
The Atlantic route, notorious for strong currents and perilous conditions, has become increasingly popular for migrants seeking to reach Europe due to heightened security measures in the Mediterranean Sea.
Many migrants attempt the journey on overloaded and poorly maintained boats with limited supplies.
The Canary Islands, a Spanish territory located just off the coast of North Africa, are a frequent destination for this dangerous route.
However, migrants often embark from much further south, setting sail from countries like Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Gambia, and Senegal.
The tragedy highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea.
According to the Spanish charity Caminando Fronteras, over 5,000 migrants have perished on the Atlantic route in the first five months of 2024, translating to an average of 33 deaths per day.
This represents the highest daily death toll recorded by the organization since they began tracking data in 2007.
