UNHCR says 144 dead or missing off Mauritania coast

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, July 22, 2026

The United Nations refugee agency reported that 144 people died or went missing off Mauritania after three rescue operations between July 14 and 18 uncovered vessels stranded at sea, including one found after 25 days with 143 dead and 38 survivors. Despite a decline in sea arrivals to Europe this year, UNHCR warned that migrant deaths remain alarmingly high, stressing the need for better access to education and job opportunities in origin countries to prevent dangerous crossings.

The United Nations refugee agency reported that 144 people are dead or missing off the coast of Mauritania following an attempt to reach Europe by sea. This figure emerged in the wake of three rescue operations conducted between July 14 and July 18, involving vessels stranded in the Atlantic Ocean near Mauritania.

One distressing case involved a vessel that departed from Bufalato, Gambia, carrying an unknown number of passengers, which was rescued on July 18 after being adrift for 25 days. On board, 143 people were found dead, and 38 survivors were rescued. The survivors included two children who lost all family members during the journey; they are currently receiving medical care in hospital. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh, speaking at a briefing in Geneva, noted that it was unclear whether the deaths resulted from drowning, starvation, dehydration, or other causes. The victims were reported to be from various sub-Saharan African countries, although specific nationalities were not disclosed.

In addition to this incident, another individual was found dead on arrival on a separate vessel that landed in Mauritania on July 14. Across the three rescue operations during the mid-July period, a total of 387 people were rescued. The operations took place primarily in the Mauritanian cities of Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, where UNHCR provided support to the survivors upon disembarkation.

So far in 2026, Mauritania has recorded 17 disembarkations of migrants and refugees, with 2,147 people rescued in total. While the number of sea arrivals in Europe has decreased by more than a third compared to the same period in 2025—about 40,000 arrivals in the first half of this year versus 65,407 the previous year—UNHCR highlighted that the number of deaths and disappearances remains at "alarming levels." The agency emphasized the urgent need for expanded access to education and labor opportunities in migrants' countries of origin to create safer alternatives to perilous sea journeys.

These recent incidents underscore ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes into Europe, reflecting wider concerns about migration management, humanitarian protection, and the challenges of addressing root causes that compel such dangerous voyages.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.