Boat capsizes off Mauritania

A tragic series of maritime incidents involving migrants has been reported, with a recent boat capsizing off the coast of Mauritania, resulting in 15 confirmed deaths and over 150 individuals missing among the 300 passengers aboard. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has confirmed that Mauritanian coastguards rescued 120 survivors, with 10 requiring urgent medical attention. This incident is part of a larger crisis, as another boat capsized off Yemen, leaving only four of the 45 refugees onboard alive due to strong winds and overloading. Since 2014, IOM has recorded 1,860 migrant deaths and disappearances in the perilous routes from East Africa and West Africa towards Gulf countries and Europe. The Atlantic migration route is particularly deadly, with high traffic during summer as migrants attempt to reach Spain via the Canary Islands. These tragedies highlight the ongoing risks and humanitarian challenges faced by migrants seeking better lives.