At least 70 people have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of West Africa, Gambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Friday night. According to Reuters, this is among the deadliest migrant boat disasters on this route in recent years, which remains a perilous passage for those seeking to reach Europe.
The ministry said the vessel had departed from Gambia early Wednesday, heading toward Mauritania’s coast. Onboard were around 150 passengers, most of them Gambian and Senegalese nationals. Sixteen people were rescued alive, while another 30 are feared dead. By Thursday, Mauritanian authorities had recovered at least 70 bodies.
Warning its citizens, the ministry urged: “Avoid embarking on such dangerous journeys that have already claimed countless lives.”
Eyewitnesses believe the death toll could exceed 100. The Atlantic route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands is frequently used by migrants hoping to reach Europe, but it is also regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
According to European Union data, more than 46,000 irregular migrants arrived in the Canary Islands in 2024 alone a record figure. Yet, at least 10,000 people died along the way. Human rights group Caminando Fronteras reported this was a 58% increase compared to 2023.
This latest tragedy highlights once again the severe risks migrants face and the deepening humanitarian crisis along the West African migration route.
Source: Reuters.