Mauritanian authorities have confirmed that 57 people have died after a vessel carrying migrants sank off its coast this Wednesday with over 150 persons on board after it left the Gambia a few hours into its journey.
The U.N Agency said that over 83 people swarm to shore with the injured persons receiving treatment in hospitals in Nouadhibou, Mauritania’s westernmost town, while they also told authorities that the boat ran out of fuel near the coast of the northwestern African nation.
Laura Lungarotti, IOM’s chief of mission in Mauritania said “The Mauritanian authorities are very efficiently coordinating the response with the agencies currently present in Nouadhibou,” while adding that “Our common priority is to take care of all those who survived and bring them the support they need,”.
Mauritanian authorities are in contact with Gambian consular services “to ensure that the necessary support is provided to the migrants”, a statement from the IOM said.
The Gambian Ambassador to Mauritania is headed to Nouadhibou, it added.
Although home to some of the continent’s fastest-growing economies, West Africa is struggling to generate enough jobs for its mushrooming young population.
As a result, migrants continue to tackle treacherous routes to get to Europe.
The perilous sea passage from West Africa to Europe was once a major route for migrants seeking jobs and prosperity. This incident is one of the deadliest since attempts became scarcer after Spain stepped up patrols in the mid-2000s.
Although home to some of the continent’s fastest-growing economies, West Africa is struggling to generate enough jobs for its mushrooming young population. As a result, migrants continue to tackle treacherous routes to get to Europe.
By John Paul Sama
Rip ?
May their soul RIP