Mauritania Waters Migrant Boat Disaster (August 2025)

The migrant boat disaster off the coast of Mauritania was a mass fatality incident that occurred on 30 August 2025 when a migrant vessel capsized in the Atlantic Ocean after departing from The Gambia.

The vessel set out from The Gambia with the aim of reaching Europe. Its intended destination was the Canary Islands. It is reported that approximately 150 to 160 passengers were on board, the majority of whom were citizens of The Gambia and Senegal. The incident occurred 117 kilometers off Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania.

Following the sinking, at least 70 people lost their lives. The initial reported death toll of 49 was later revised upward to 70. Sixteen to seventeen passengers from the vessel survived. Due to the large number of passengers still missing, it is estimated that the total death toll may have exceeded 100. Search and rescue operations were conducted by Mauritania’s coast guard.

The disaster is reported to have occurred when passengers, seeing the lights of a town on the Mauritanian coast, moved to one side of the vessel. This shift in weight disrupted the boat’s balance and caused it to capsize.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia expressed condolences to the families of those who died in the incident. The ministry has been cooperating with Mauritanian authorities and international organizations, including the International Organization for Migration, through its embassy. The statement emphasized that Gambian citizens, particularly young people, must avoid dangerous Atlantic crossings. It was noted that such journeys have resulted in numerous fatalities.