38 of 190 Survived: Urgent measures needed to prevent more death on Atlantic migration…. MSF

• Urges ECOWAS, others to collectively prevent further loss of life

Just 38 people, out of around 190, have survived an horrific attempt to cross by boat from western Africa to the Canary Islands. The survivors disembarked at Nouadhibou, Mauritania, on 18 July, where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams assisted them on arrival.

The deadly incident highlights the perils of the Atlantic migration route. MSF urges West African governments of countries along the migration route, European states, and regional and international organisations to work collectively to prevent further loss of life, with saving lives at sea an immediate priority.

According to initial testimonies collected from survivors, the boat left The Gambia in late June with around 190 people on board. After spending 25 days at sea, the surviving 38 people were first assisted by fishermen, then by the Mauritanian coastguard, before being brought to the Mauritanian Red Crescent, which requested MSF’s support.

“What our teams saw in Nouadhibou is deeply shocking,” says Fouzia Bara, MSF migration programme manager. “People arrived after weeks spent at sea, exhausted, traumatised and grieving the loss of relatives and other passengers who did not survive the crossing.”

“One of the survivors our teams cared for said she had seen her sister die before her eyes,” says Bara. “No-one should have to endure such suffering while seeking safety or dignity.”

People attempting to take the Atlantic route from western Africa to the Canary Islands, which is part of Spain, face dangers including long, perilous crossings, at high risk of shipwreck. People also often experience dehydration, violence, severe psychological trauma and loss of life.

In recent weeks, MSF teams in Nouadhibou have supported survivors of three disembarkations, on 14 and 18 July, assisting a total of 387 people. We have provided 66 medical consultations and referred nine people to specialist health facilities in Nouadhibou.