At least 70 dead as migrant boat capsizes off West African coast

At least 70 people have died after a migrant boat capsized off the West African coast, in what Gambia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry described as one of the deadliest accidents along the region’s migration routes in recent years.

The ministry issued the update late on August 29, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The vessel, believed to have departed from Gambia and carrying mostly Gambian and Senegalese nationals, sank off the coast of Mauritania early on Wednesday. Another 30 people are feared dead, bringing the potential death toll to more than 100, according to the ministry.

Authorities estimate the boat had around 150 passengers. So far, 16 survivors have been rescued, and Mauritanian authorities have recovered 70 bodies between August 27 and August 28. Witnesses have indicated that the number of casualties could exceed 100.

The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, commonly used by migrants attempting to reach Spain, is known as one of the world’s deadliest migration paths. Last year, over 46,000 irregular migrants reached the Canary Islands, setting a new record according to the European Union.

Human rights organisation Caminando Fronteras reported that more than 10,000 people died attempting the journey in 2024, marking a 58% increase from 2023.

In response to the tragedy, Gambia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry urged its citizens to avoid undertaking such dangerous journeys, highlighting the persistent risks and high mortality rates.

By Tamilla Hasanova