A migrant boat capsized off Mauritania’s coast late Tuesday, claiming the lives of 69 people, authorities confirmed Friday. The vessel overturned about 80 kilometres north of Nouakchott after migrants shifted to one side upon spotting coastal lights, a coastguard official said. Seventeen survivors were rescued by a coastguard patrol, highlighting the narrow margin between tragedy and survival at sea.
The boat had departed The Gambia a week earlier carrying roughly 160 passengers, including Gambian and Senegalese nationals, the official added. Earlier reports had cited 49 fatalities, but the coastguard later revised the toll to 69, reflecting the disaster’s grim scale.
Migrants face frequent peril crossing from Africa to Europe, as fragile boats and strong currents make the journey deadly. In 2024 alone, at least 10,457 migrants died attempting the maritime passage to Spain, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras.
Authorities have not disclosed the intended destination of those aboard Tuesday’s capsized vessel, leaving questions about their final goal. The tragedy underscores the persistent human cost of irregular migration and the dangers confronting those seeking better lives abroad.