The Mauritanian Coast Guard on Wednesday rescued 132 migrants from a boat that was headed toward Spain’s Canary Islands before it began sinking off the country’s northern coast, authorities said.
The vessel was intercepted and its passengers were brought to safety several nautical miles off the coast of Nouadhibou, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Most of the migrants (104 people) were from Senegal, including 20 women and four minors. Another 22 people on board were from Gambia.
Officials said the boat departed Senegal’s shores on Nov. 20. Security services and humanitarian organizations have been notified to provide assistance in line with established procedures.
Mauritania has become a major transit point in recent years for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempting to reach Europe, particularly the Spanish-controlled Canary Islands.
In February 2024, Mauritania signed an agreement with the European Union aimed at curbing irregular migration flows to EU territory and strengthening cooperation on border control and humanitarian support for migrants.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.