In a devastating incident off the coast of Mauritania, a shipwreck has resulted in the loss of 25 lives, with dozens more feared missing. The tragedy took place near the capital city of Nouakchott, according to the country's news agency.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reported that over 190 individuals remain unaccounted for, prompting a rescue operation to be launched immediately. The Mauritian coastguard has successfully rescued 103 migrants, while also recovering the bodies of the deceased, as confirmed by a coastguard commander.

According to the IOM, approximately 300 people boarded a wooden pirogue boat in Gambia, embarking on a perilous journey that lasted for seven days. Tragically, the boat capsized on July 22, resulting in the immediate loss of 15 lives upon the coastguard's arrival. Ten survivors were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care.

Ibba Sarr, a fishmonger at a Nouakchott fish market, spoke to Reuters about the grim situation, mentioning that the strong winds in the past two days had brought the bodies closer to the shore. Sarr witnessed approximately 30 bodies being collected from the beach and expressed concern that more lifeless bodies may be discovered in the coming days.

This devastating shipwreck follows a similar incident on July 5, when Mauritanian coastguards also recovered the bodies of 89 migrants from a capsized boat. The IOM has highlighted the fact that many migrants are seeking to reach the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Morocco, via this perilous route. This particular route from West Africa to the Spanish territory has been identified as one of the world's deadliest migration paths.

Tragically, migrant fatalities remain alarmingly high. Charity organization Caminando Fronteras reports that over 5,000 migrants lost their lives attempting to reach Spain by sea in the first five months of 2024. Additionally, Spanish government data reveals that 40,000 people arrived in the Canary Islands last year, more than double the number in 2022.

In an effort to address the pressing issue of undocumented migration to Europe, the European Union (EU) recently provided Mauritania with €210 million (£177 million; $225 million) in aid, with a significant portion designated for the fight against such migration.

Furthermore, in a separate incident, a navy patrol boat in France's northern coast was involved in the rescue of migrants who had fallen into the water. Further details regarding the incident are currently unknown.

The tragic shipwreck off the coast of Mauritania serves as a painful reminder of the immense risks migrants face in their pursuit of a better life. The loss of precious lives underscores the urgency for collaborative efforts to address the root causes of migration and provide safer, legal pathways for those in need.