Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Mauritania, 15 Dead

At least 15 migrants have died and more than 195 are missing after a boat carrying around 300 passengers capsized off the coast of Mauritania near Nouakchott. The boat had set off from Gambia and spent seven days at sea before the disaster occurred on July 22, 2024. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 120 people were rescued by the Mauritanian coastguard, including four unaccompanied children, while 10 were hospitalized for urgent medical care. This incident is part of a larger trend, as over 76 boats have disembarked in Mauritania since June, leading to at least 190 reported deaths or disappearances. The perilous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands has become increasingly deadly, with over 19,700 migrants having arrived irregularly this year alone, representing a 160% increase compared to 2023. The IOM has recorded more than 4,500 deaths and disappearances on this route since 2014, highlighting the ongoing migration crisis in West Africa.