Posted July 23, 2026
(Warning: Distressing content) Two children have lost their entire families.
More than 140 people have died while attempting to cross the perilous Atlantic migration corridor (Image: Getty)
Two children have lost their entire families as 144 people pronounced dead or missing at sea by the UN. The boat had been attempting the perilous Atlantic migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, one of the most dangerous pathways where three rescue operations were launched in July.
The vessel had been drifting at sea for 25 days after embarking on a 905-mile journey from Bufuloto in The Gambia to the Canary Islands. In a tragic Mauritania rescue operation, just 38 people were found alive, with 143 others aboard reported dead or missing, including the two children who lost their families. The agency said they are now recovering in hospital with other survivors.
Another death was reported among passengers on a boat that was disembarked on July 14. Rescue teams operating from the Mauritanian port city of Nouadhibou brought 387 people of various nationalities safely ashore between July 14 and 18.
UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva: “The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe, highlighting the continued human cost of these dangerous routes.”
The Atlantic route to Spain’s Canary Islands is considered one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors because of the huge distances covered by the overcrowded and unseaworthy boats in unpredictable weather, with limited opportunities for timely rescue.
People are squeezed onto tiny unsafe vessels as smugglers make huge profits from their journeys (Image: Getty)
Despite the number of arrivals to the Spanish archipelago dropping this year – by 61% from 2025, with 4,400 arrivals as of July 15 – the UNHCR said these incidents highlight the persistent risks faced by refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe, many of whom are embarking over 2,000km away from their intended destination.
So far this year, 17 disembarkations have been recorded in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, with a total of 2,147 individuals rescued.