NOUADHIBOU, Mauritania, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ —
Just 38 people, out of around 190, have survived an horrific attempt to cross by boat from western Africa to the Canary Islands. The survivors disembarked at Nouadhibou, Mauritania, on 18 July, where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams assisted them on arrival. The deadly incident highlights the perils of the Atlantic migration route. MSF urges West African governments of countries along the migration route, European states, and regional and international organisations to work collectively to prevent further loss of life, with saving lives at sea an immediate priority.
According to initial testimonies collected from survivors, the boat left The Gambia in late June with around 190 people on board. After spending 25 days at sea, the surviving 38 people were first assisted by fishermen, then by the Mauritanian coastguard, before being brought to the Mauritanian Red Crescent, which requested MSF’s support.
“What our teams saw in Nouadhibou is deeply shocking,” says Fouzia Bara, MSF migration programme manager. “People arrived after weeks spent at sea, exhausted, traumatised and grieving the loss of relatives and other passengers who did not survive the crossing.”
“One of the survivors our teams cared for said she had seen her sister die before her eyes,” says Bara. “No-one should have to endure such suffering while seeking safety or dignity.”
People attempting to take the Atlantic route from western Africa to the Canary Islands, which is part of Spain, face dangers including long, perilous crossings, at high risk of shipwreck. People also often experience dehydration, violence, severe psychological trauma and loss of life.
In recent weeks, MSF teams in Nouadhibou have supported survivors of three disembarkations, on 14 and 18 July, assisting a total of 387 people. We have provided 66 medical consultations and referred nine people to specialist health facilities in Nouadhibou. On 18 July alone, MSF responded to two successive disembarkations between midnight and 7 p.m., including the boat that had departed from The Gambia. People who reached shore in Nouadhibou were suffering from post-traumatic shock and psychosis, had bone fractures, trauma injuries, and hypothermia.
Survivors described terrifying conditions at sea, as well as the loss of relatives and other passengers during the crossing.
The Atlantic migration route has become one of the deadliest in the world, with almost 10,000 people were reported dead or missing while attempting the Atlantic crossing in 2024, and more than 3,000 in 2025. It is very likely that the actual number of people who have died is higher than the reported figures, as not all sea crossings are reported or lead to rescues. Although arrivals at the Canary Islands have decreased this year, the risks remain extreme. Recent incidents underline the persistent dangers faced by refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe, many of whom depart from points located more than 2,000 kilometres from their intended destination.
“The deaths of these men, women and children must not be met with silence,” says Bara. “We urge governments and relevant authorities to place the preservation of human life at the centre of their migration policies, to strengthen search and rescue capacities, and to ensure that no person in distress at sea is left without assistance.”
MSF calls for urgent measures to prevent further deaths on the Atlantic route. Search and rescue mechanisms must be strengthened, adequately resourced, and able to respond effectively to the needs of people in distress at sea, including providing humane and dignified assistance to survivors. At the same time, safe and legal pathways are needed to reduce the risks people are forced to take when seeking protection, safety or a better future.
MSF launched activities in Mauritania following the increase in tragedies at sea. In Nouadhibou, we began providing direct assistance during disembarkations and interceptions in December 2024, before strengthening our response in opening our Centre for Reception, Care and Assistance in April 2025. The centre supports people with different vulnerabilities including migrants, people in transit, or Mauritanians.
