**Title: UN Reports 144 Dead or Missing After Migrant Boat Stranded at Sea for 25 Days**
**Published: July 21, 2026**
In a tragic incident highlighting the perils of migration across the Atlantic, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has reported that at least 144 refugees and migrants are dead or missing after a series of maritime incidents off the coast of Mauritania. This situation underscores the increasing dangers faced by those attempting to reach Europe via the perilous Atlantic route from West Africa.
The UNHCR revealed that three separate rescue operations were conducted from the Mauritanian port city of Nouadhibou between July 14 and July 18. These operations successfully brought 387 individuals of various nationalities to safety. However, the most harrowing event involved a boat that had departed from Bufuloto in The Gambia, bound for Spain's Canary Islands, approximately 905 nautical miles (1,677 kilometers) away.
After drifting at sea for nearly 25 days, the vessel was finally rescued, but only 38 of its passengers survived. The UNHCR reported that 143 others aboard were either confirmed dead or missing. Among the survivors were two children who tragically lost all their family members during the journey. They are currently recovering in a hospital alongside other survivors.
Matthew Saltmarsh, a spokesperson for UNHCR, emphasized the human cost associated with these dangerous migration routes, stating, "The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe." He noted that this incident is part of a broader trend of increasing fatalities along this migration corridor.
The Atlantic route to the Canary Islands has been identified as one of the world's deadliest migration paths, primarily due to several factors. The vast distances involved, unpredictable weather conditions, overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, and limited opportunities for timely rescue operations contribute to the high risk faced by those attempting the journey.
In light of these ongoing tragedies, the UNHCR has reiterated its calls for enhanced international cooperation to save lives and expand safe migration pathways. The agency has recorded 17 rescue and disembarkation operations in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott so far this year, successfully bringing 2,147 refugees and migrants to safety.
The recent events have drawn attention to the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the challenges of migration in the region. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community faces a pressing obligation to respond to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Atlantic migration corridor.