At least 69 migrants lost their lives when a boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania earlier this week, officials confirmed on Friday.
The vessel, carrying around 160 people, had departed from The Gambia a week earlier and included nationals from both Senegal and The Gambia.
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According to Mauritanian coast guard officials, the accident occurred late Tuesday night when the migrants spotted lights from a nearby town about 80 kilometers north of the capital Nouakchott. In a rush to one side of the boat, the imbalance caused it to overturn.
A coast guard patrol managed to rescue 17 survivors, but dozens were swept away in the rough waters. Initially, authorities reported 49 fatalities, but the toll was later revised upward to 69.
The incident underscores the persistent dangers of irregular sea crossings between Africa and Europe, where strong currents and overcrowded, fragile boats frequently lead to mass drownings.
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According to the NGO Caminando Fronteras, at least 10,457 migrants died attempting to reach Spain by sea in 2024 alone.
Authorities have not confirmed the intended destination of the vessel involved in this latest tragedy.
