Illustrative: People gather around a boat carrying newly-arrived Rohingya refugees, after authorities prevented the refugees from disembarking and ordered them to remain on board the vessel, at Leuge Beach in Indonesia’s Aceh province on January 29, 2025. (photo credit: CEK MAD/AFP via Getty Images) via TJP
By Reuters
The toll comes after three rescue operations in Mauritania between July 14-18, the UN agency said, calling for more access to education and labor opportunities to create sea crossing alternatives.
The UN Refugee Agency has said, on Tuesday that, 144 people have been reported dead or missing off the coast of Mauritania in an effort to reach Europe.
The toll comes after three rescue operations in Mauritania between July 14-18, the UN agency said, calling for more access to education and labor opportunities to create alternatives to dangerous sea crossings.
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A total of 143 people died on board a single vessel which left from Bufaloto, Gambia, and was rescued on July 18 after 25 days stranded at sea.
It was carrying bodies and 38 survivors, according to UNHCR, which was present at disembarkation in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, to provide support.
“Among all the survivors of that ship were two children who have lost all their family members during the journey, and they are recovering in hospital,” spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh told a UN briefing in Geneva.
He did not immediately have details on whether they drowned or died from hunger, thirst, or some other cause.
The victims were from sub-Saharan African countries, he said, without giving details.
Another person was dead on arrival on another vessel that disembarked in Mauritania on July 14, UNHCR said.
Three rescue operations lead to 387 survivors
Overall, three rescue operations were conducted between July 14-18 in Mauritania, and 387 people survived, the UN Agency added.
So far in 2026, 17 disembarkations have been recorded in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, Mauritania, with 2,147 individuals rescued in total.
