144 Migrants Reported Dead or Missing After Atlantic Rescue Operations Off Mauritania

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)) announced that 144 refugees and migrants are dead or missing following a series of maritime incidents off the coast of Mauritania in mid-July 2026. The deadliest incident involved a vessel that left Bufaloto in The Gambia, drifted for nearly 25 days, and was rescued on July 18. Of the estimated 181 people on board, 143 were reported dead or missing and only 38 survived.

144 migrants from West Africa feared dead or missing while attempting sea crossings to Europe France 24EuronewsThe Jerusalem PostUN says 144 migrants reported dead or missing off Mauritania UNHCR Reports 144 Dead Or Missing Off Mauritania Coast Express TribuneUN Confirms 144 Migrants Missing After 25-Day Atlantic Nightmare Off Mauritania Coast

Three coordinated rescue and disembarkation operations were carried out in Nouadhibou between July 14 and July 18. Across the three missions, a total of 387 individuals of various sub-Saharan nationalities were brought safely ashore. The second operation on July 18 rescued the 38 survivors from the Gambia-origin boat; a third operation on July 14 rescued 170 people, while a separate vessel arriving that day recorded one death on arrival.

UN says 144 migrants reported dead or missing off Mauritania

UNHCR’s cumulative 2026 statistics show 17 disembarkations in the Mauritanian ports of Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, with 2,147 migrants rescued to date.

Express Tribune

UNHCR spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh briefed reporters in Geneva, emphasizing the human cost of the Atlantic route and urging expanded legal pathways.

Euronews

Arrivals to Spain’s Canary Islands have fallen sharply, with 4,400 arrivals recorded as of July 15, a 61 percent decline from 2025. Overall sea arrivals to Europe in the first half of 2026 total just over 40,000, down from 65,407 in the same period of 2025. Despite the reduced volume, UNHCR stresses that deaths and disappearances at sea remain at “alarming levels,” underscoring the persistent danger of the Atlantic corridor that spans over 2,000 km between West Africa and the Canary Islands.

144 Migrants Dead or Missing Off Mauritania: UN Report

• “This is a stark reminder that, despite sustained efforts by coastal authorities and humanitarian partners to save lives, the Atlantic route from West Africa toward the Canary Islands remains one of the world's deadliest mixed movement corridors due to long distances, unpredictable ocean conditions, unseaworthy overcrowded boats and limited access to timely rescue,” — Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR spokesman

United Press International (UPI)

• “Among the survivors were two children, who had lost all their family members during the journey and are now recovering in hospital with other survivors.” — the agency

Euronews