143 Migrants Die After Boat Drifts for 25 Days on Europe-Bound Journey
A boat carrying migrants to Europe spent 25 days stranded at sea before reaching Mauritania, leaving 143 people dead and 38 others alive to tell the story of the perilous journey.
The vessel had departed from Gambia before becoming stranded offshore. When it eventually arrived in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, the United Nations refugee agency was on hand to assist the survivors.
Two children who survived the journey were taken to hospital after losing every member of their families during the ordeal, according to the UNHCR.
The agency said the migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa but did not immediately provide details about their countries of origin. It also said it had yet to establish the precise circumstances surrounding all the deaths.
The incident was one of three rescue operations conducted off Mauritania between July 14 and 18. Another migrant died after a separate vessel disembarked in the country on July 14. In total, 387 people survived the three operations.
The latest tragedy comes as the United Nations refugee agency continues to warn about the dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea.
While arrivals along major routes have declined this year, deaths and disappearances remain at what the agency described as alarming levels.
UNHCR has urged governments and other stakeholders to expand access to education, jobs and other opportunities so that people are not forced to risk their lives on dangerous sea crossings in search of a better future.
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