Over 250 migrants rescued off Mauritania coast

n n

The Mauritanian Coast Guard said it rescued 260 migrants in two boats, including 17 children, off the country’s Atlantic coast on Sunday.

n

The migrants were on two vessels that left Banjul in The Gambia and were in a state of shock after running out of food and facing fuel and navigation problems, the service said.

n

They were spotted off the coast of the capital, Nouakchott, after spending approximately seven days at sea, it added.

n

Among those rescued were 132 Senegalese nationals, 120 Gambians, four Guineans and several others from West Africa, said a coast guard statement.

n

In addition to the 17 children, 61 women were on board the boats, it added.

n

Thousands of mostly young people have for years attempted the perilous Atlantic route on overloaded and often dilapidated boats to reach Europe via Spain’s Canary Islands.

n

Many are fleeing poverty and resort to the clandestine journey as European countries have drastically restricted issuing visas and tightened control over their borders.

n

AFP

n n