UNHCR reveals nearly 150 dead or missing at sea en route to Europe

Moscow (ANTARA) - The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) revealed on Tuesday (21 July) that nearly 150 people died or went missing off the coast of Mauritania after attempting to reach Europe by sea.

“UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened and concerned by reports of 144 people dead or missing as a result of a tragic maritime incident off the coast of Mauritania last week,” the statement said.

It noted that between 14 and 18 July, three rescue operations and landings were carried out in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, bringing 387 people safely ashore.

“Refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting perilous sea journeys from West Africa to Europe, highlighting the continued loss of life along these dangerous routes,” the statement read.

One of the vessels rescued on 18 July had endured a harrowing journey, it said.

After drifting in the Atlantic for nearly 25 days whilst trying to reach Spain from The Gambia, 143 people were reported dead or missing. Only 38 survived, it said.

“Although arrivals to the Spanish islands are down this year – 61 per cent lower than 2025, with 4,400 arrivals up to 15 July – the incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe, many of whom begin their journeys more than 2,000 km from their destination,” the statement said.

Overall, more than 40,000 people arrived in Europe via the main sea routes in 2026, compared with 65,407 in the first half of 2025, it said.