Authorities in Mauritania say they intercepted a boat carrying 161 migrants bound for Europe after it set off from The Gambia. Close to 1,000 people have now been rescued along the West African coast since last week.
The boat with 161 migrants was "rescued" off the Mauritanian coast north of the capital, Nouakchott, according to a coast guard statement on Thursday, August 27.
"All the people on the boat are safe and sound, but particularly exhausted by the journey and the insecurity of the vessel," it continued, specifying that the migrants were due to be taken to a reception center.
An official told the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity that the boat's engine "was extremely worn out and exhausted, and the vessel could no longer move forward," adding that food and water provisions had also been depleted on the small vessel.
Images shared by Mauritanian officials on social media showed various aspects of the mission.
The boat had apparently departed from The Gambia, situated about 600 kilometers south, just over a week ago, and was heading for Spain's Canary Islands.
The nationalities of those on board were disclosed as Gambian, Guinean and Senegalese.
Among the migrants were 17 children, according to further information obtained by AP.
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Mauritania: Europe's new partner in fight against irregular migration
This was one of several major emergency rescue operations coordinated by Mauritanian authorities since last week. Security forces said that between Wednesday and Sunday (August 19-23), they intercepted more than 750 migrants in several operations.
Mauritania's coast guard has been playing an increasingly important part in ensuring that migrants are intercepted before they reach European soil.
In 2024, the European Union signed a partnership agreement with the West African country, pledging 200 million euros in funds to stop irregular migrants.
Read AlsoMauritania – a new irregular migration gateway to Europe?
A deadly route to Europe
Mauritania's coastline has in recent years started to play an increasingly important role in the context of migration movements from sub-Saharan Africa.
However, the journey to Spain's archipelago of the Canary Islands is among the most dangerous migration routes in the world, with smugglers often transporting people across the sea for several weeks on overcrowded, unseaworthy boats.
Last month, the IOM said that close to 150 people died or went missing from boats in Mauritanian waters whilst trying to reach the island group, which is part of the European Union.
In 2025 alone, more than 1,200 people are known to have died on this route, according to the IOM, though other organizations believe that number is closer to 3,000.
According to the migrant charity Caminando Fronteras, the current tally of fatalities for 2026 has already surpassed the mark of 1,300 instances.
The majority of people embarking on this dangerous journey tend to be young, with a high proportion of accompanied minors among them.
Read AlsoIOM warns that migration routes to Europe are becoming more dangerous
with AP, AFP