Tragedy as 144 migrants dead or missing sailing to Canary Islands | World | News

Two children have lost their entire families as 144 people pronounced dead or missing at sea by the UN. The boat had been attempting the perilous Atlantic migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, one of the most dangerous pathways where three rescue operations were launched in July.

The vessel had been drifting at sea for 25 days after embarking on a 905-mile journey from Bufuloto in The Gambia to the Canary Islands. In a tragic Mauritania rescue operation, just 38 people were found alive, with 143 others aboard reported dead or missing, including the two children who lost their families. The agency said they are now recovering in hospital with other survivors.

Another death was reported among passengers on a boat that was disembarked on July 14. Rescue teams operating from the Mauritanian port city of Nouadhibou brought 387 people of various nationalities safely ashore between July 14 and 18.

UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva: “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.”

So far this year, 17 disembarkations have been recorded in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, with a total of 2,147 individuals rescued.