A boat carrying migrants and refugees from Africa was stranded off the coast of Mauritania after running out of fuel, leaving 143 people dead or missing and 38 rescued, according to Al Jazeera.
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Key facts
- 143 people are reported dead or missing.
- 38 people were rescued.
- The boat was carrying migrants and refugees from Africa.
- The vessel ran out of fuel while stranded off Mauritania.
More than 140 people are dead or missing after a boat carrying migrants and refugees from Africa was stranded off the coast of Mauritania, according to Al Jazeera.
The vessel ran out of fuel, leading to a tragedy in which 143 people died or went missing, the outlet reported. A further 38 people were rescued.
Al Jazeera reported that those aboard were migrants and refugees traveling from Africa. The report did not specify the nationalities of the passengers or the exact location where the boat became stranded.
The circumstances that left the boat without fuel, and the timeline of the rescue effort, were not detailed in the available report.
Mauritania, on the northwest coast of Africa, sits along a route used by people attempting to reach other destinations by sea. The report did not identify the boat’s intended destination.
No further details on the identities of the victims or survivors were provided in the source.
Why it matters
The deaths add to the toll of migrants and refugees who lose their lives on dangerous sea crossings each year. Incidents like this highlight the risks faced by people attempting to reach safety or better opportunities by boat.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died or are missing?
According to Al Jazeera, 143 people are dead or missing following the incident.
How many people were rescued?
Al Jazeera reported that 38 people were rescued.
What caused the boat to become stranded?
The boat ran out of fuel while off the coast of Mauritania, according to Al Jazeera.
Timeline
- More than 140 dead, missing on refugee boat stranded off Mauritania
Al Jazeera: Boat carrying migrants and refugees from Africa ran out of fuel, leading to a tragedy with 143 dead and 38 rescued.