DAKAR – Up to 57 people died after a ship from Gambia carrying around 150 migrants sank off the coast of Mauritania on Wednesday, the United Nations migration agency said.
“Mauritanian authorities say up to 57 people are dead after a vessel carrying migrants sank off its coast today,” the International Organization for Migration said.
The perilous sea passage from West Africa to Europe was once a major route for migrants seeking jobs and prosperity.
The Mauritanian authorities could not immediately be reached for a comment.
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.(Reuters)
