Overview
- UNHCR reported that 144 migrants and refugees have been recorded dead or missing following three rescue operations off Mauritania between July 14 and July 18.
- A single vessel that left from Bafuloto in The Gambia was rescued on July 18 after about 25 days adrift and reached Nouadhibou with 38 survivors and roughly 143 dead or missing.
- The survivors included two children who lost all their family members and are receiving hospital care while humanitarian teams assist the rescued and investigate causes of death.
- Mauritania’s coastguard gave a different count, saying the boat left with about 160 people and listing 122 missing, which highlights gaps and variations in official tallies.
- UNHCR and partners warned that long distances, overcrowded unseaworthy boats and limited timely rescue make the Atlantic route one of the world’s deadliest and called for higher resettlement quotas, labour and education pathways as safer alternatives.