At least 25 people have lost their lives, 12 remain missing, and around 100 have survived following the tragic sinking of a migrant boat en route to the Canary Islands. The boat had set sail from Gambia for a 1,600 km journey and was navigating near the coast of Mauritania when disaster struck. Some reports suggest up to 165 people might still be unaccounted for.
The boat departed from Gambia approximately a week ago, aiming for the Canary Islands. The ill-fated journey ended off the coast of Nouakchott, Mauritania, between Monday and Tuesday. The confirmed toll from Mauritanian security sources, as reported by EFE, stands at 25 dead and 12 missing, with 103 rescued, totalling 140 passengers.
However, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) provided a grimmer estimate, indicating that about 300 people were on board. According to the IOM, 15 people died, 120 were rescued, and up to 165 remain missing.
One survivor recounted seeing nine to ten bodies and claimed there were around 180 people on the boat, mostly Senegalese and Gambians. This survivor's account suggests that the number of missing might be closer to 77.
Among the heartbreaking stories is that of a pregnant woman who perished, leaving behind her four rescued children while her husband remains missing. The survivor also reported that 40 Gambians and 53 Senegalese survived, along with one person from the Ivory Coast.
The Gambia embassy has already taken steps to assist their nationals. The IOM reported that ten migrants were urgently hospitalised, including four children among the rescued.
As the Canary Islands grapple with political discontent, this latest tragedy emphasises the severe humanitarian crisis along the Atlantic Route. The perilous journey continues to claim lives, highlighting the desperate conditions driving so many to risk everything for a chance at a better life.
