UN reports 144 dead or missing after migrant boat is stranded at sea for 25 days

UN reports 144 dead or missing in tragic Atlantic migration incident Poinews.com – The United Nations has reported that 144 people are dead or missing

UN reports 144 dead or missing in tragic Atlantic migration incident

Poinews.com – The United Nations has reported that 144 people are dead or missing following a harrowing maritime disaster that has once again highlighted the perils faced by migrants attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean. According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the tragedy occurred off the coast of Mauritania, where a migrant boat remained stranded at sea for an astonishing 25 days before finally being rescued. This devastating incident has become one of the deadliest episodes on the increasingly dangerous Atlantic migration route connecting West Africa to Europe’s Atlantic islands.

The UNHCR confirmed that three separate rescue operations were conducted from the Mauritanian port city of Nouadhibou between July 14 and July 18. These coordinated efforts successfully brought 387 people of various nationalities safely to shore. However, the most tragic case involved a vessel that departed from Bufuloto in The Gambia, heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands—a journey spanning 905 nautical miles, equivalent to 1,677 kilometres. The boat was eventually rescued on Saturday after its passengers endured nearly 25 days drifting in open waters.

Survivors recount harrowing ordeal

Of the passengers aboard the stranded vessel, only 38 people survived the ordeal. The UNHCR reported that 143 others were either confirmed dead or remain missing. In an official statement, the agency shared that among the survivors were two children who had lost all their family members during the journey and are now recovering in hospital alongside other survivors. Additionally, a further death was recorded among people who had been rescued from a different vessel on July 14, bringing the total death toll higher.

“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe, highlighting the continued human cost of these dangerous routes,” UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva.

The Atlantic route to Spain’s Canary Islands continues to be recognized as one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors. This reputation stems from multiple factors, including the vast distances involved, unpredictable weather conditions, overcrowded and often unseaworthy boats, and limited opportunities for timely rescue operations. The agency has renewed its calls for stronger international cooperation to save lives and expand safe migration pathways for vulnerable populations.

So far this year, UNHCR has documented 17 rescue and disembarkation operations in the ports of Nouadhibou and Nouakchott. These operations have collectively brought 2,147 refugees and migrants safely ashore, though the number of casualties continues to rise. The agency emphasized that while rescue efforts are ongoing, the scale of the crisis demands more comprehensive solutions to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term migration challenges.

As the international community responds to this latest tragedy, the focus remains on improving maritime search and rescue capabilities, strengthening border cooperation, and creating more humane migration policies. The UNHCR continues to monitor the situation closely, providing updates as more information becomes available about the missing passengers and the conditions faced by survivors during their 25-day ordeal at sea.