UN: 144 migrants dead or missing off the coast of Mauritania
The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, said 144 migrants attempting to reach Europe are dead or missing following a series of "tragic maritime incidents" off the coast of Mauritania last week.
The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, said 144 migrants attempting to reach Europe are dead or missing after boats carrying them were involved in a series of incidents off the coast of Mauritania last week. The agency described the events as "tragic maritime incidents."
The waters off Mauritania have become an increasingly perilous route for migrants from West Africa trying to reach Europe via the Canary Islands. UNHCR noted that the number of migrants who have died or gone missing along this maritime route this year has risen compared with previous years.
The agency renewed its call for greater international cooperation to provide migrants with safe and legal pathways. Regional authorities acknowledge that search and rescue capacity in the area remains limited.
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