A boat carrying 300 passengers from Gambia capsized near Mauritania's capital Nouakchott on Monday, resulting in 15 fatalities and over 150 people unaccounted for, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Atlantic migration route from West Africa's coast to the Canary Islands, a common path for African migrants aiming to reach Spain, is recognized as one of the most perilous globally. This route experiences its highest traffic during the summer months.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the IOM reported that Mauritanian coastguards had saved 120 individuals, with 10 requiring immediate hospitalization. Search operations for the missing are ongoing.
