The recent tragic shipwreck off the coast of Mauritania has once again highlighted the deadly risks faced by migrants and refugees attempting to cross the treacherous waters of the West Atlantic route. The United Nations agencies, including the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives in this latest incident.
According to reports, a boat carrying approximately 300 people, including women and children, capsized near Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. The passengers had boarded the wooden “pirogue” boat in The Gambia and spent seven days at sea before disaster struck. At least 15 people lost their lives in the shipwreck, with many others still missing. This tragic incident marks the second deadly shipwreck in the region reported this month, following a similar incident at the beginning of July.
The West Atlantic route, which stretches along the coast of West Africa, has gained notoriety as one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. Thousands of migrants and refugees have perished in recent years while attempting to make the perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Since June last year, more than 76 boats carrying approximately 6,130 survivors have arrived in Mauritania, while around 190 individuals have lost their lives at sea before the two recent tragedies.
The UNHCR and the IOM have called on the international community to support legal solutions for individuals in danger or dire situations, so they do not have to risk their lives while attempting to move across countries and continents. Elizabeth Eyster, the UNHCR Representative in Mauritania, emphasized the need for safer pathways for vulnerable individuals who often fall prey to smugglers and traffickers in their desperation to seek a better life.
The growing phenomenon of desperate individuals resorting to dangerous migration routes underscores the urgent need for action to prevent further tragedies. The UNHCR spokesperson, Shabia Mantoo, stressed the importance of holding accountable those who profit from the desperation of others. She highlighted the need for greater accountability and measures to address the root causes of irregular migration, including poverty, conflict, and lack of opportunities.
The IOM’s Missing Migrants Project has been tracking the movements of migrants and refugees along the West Atlantic route. From January 1 to July 15, 2024, more than 19,700 migrants arrived irregularly in the Canary Islands, using this route. This marks a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023 when 7,590 migrants were recorded, representing a 160% rise in arrivals.
The Missing Migrants Project has documented over 4,500 deaths and disappearances on the West Atlantic route since 2014, including more than 950 deaths last year alone. These tragic statistics underscore the urgent need for concerted international action to address the root causes of irregular migration and provide safer alternatives for vulnerable individuals seeking a better life.
The UN agencies continue to call for greater cooperation and support from the international community to prevent further loss of lives on deadly migration routes like the West Atlantic route. It is essential to address the underlying factors driving individuals to take such risks and ensure that legal pathways are available for those in need of protection and assistance. Only through collective action and solidarity can we prevent further tragedies and protect the lives of vulnerable migrants and refugees seeking a better future.
