West Atlantic Route: A Deadly Passage for Migrants

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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A Tragic Capsizing Incident

A boat carrying migrants from The Gambia recently capsized off the coast of Mauritania, leading to a devastating loss of life. At least 69 people have been confirmed dead, and dozens more are missing (africanews.com). This tragic event unfolded when passengers, seeing the lights of the coastal town of Lemhaijratt, rushed to one side of the vessel. The sudden shift in weight caused the overcrowded boat to overturn, plunging everyone into the Atlantic Ocean (africanews.com).

The wooden pirogue had departed from Gambia approximately one week prior, carrying an estimated 160 individuals, primarily Senegalese and Gambian nationals (africanews.com). This incident serves as a stark reminder of the immense dangers faced by those attempting to cross the West Atlantic Route. The Mauritanian Coast Guard continues search and rescue operations, but the likelihood of finding additional survivors diminishes with each passing day.

What is a Pirogue?

A pirogue is a traditional fishing vessel, often made of wood. These boats are typically not designed for long, open-ocean voyages or for carrying large numbers of people. When used for migrant journeys, they are frequently overloaded and unseaworthy, significantly increasing the risk of capsizing. (thenewhumanitarian.org)

The Perilous West Atlantic Route

The West Atlantic Route, which leads to the Canary Islands, is recognized as one of the world's deadliest migration paths. This route stretches from the west coast of Africa, including countries like Mauritania and Senegal, to the Spanish Canary Islands (cnn.com). The journey is fraught with danger due to strong currents, high waves, and the use of unseaworthy vessels (aljazeera.com).

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has documented over 4,500 deaths and disappearances on this route since 2014 (cnn.com). The year 2023 alone saw more than 1,950 deaths, making it the second deadliest year on record (cnn.com). Furthermore, the charity Caminando Fronteras estimates that over 5,000 migrants perished while attempting to reach Spain by sea in the first five months of 2024 (bbc.com). This Spanish NGO also suggests that over 10,000 people died or went missing at sea in 2024 while trying to reach Spain (africanews.com). The route from Mauritania to the farthest Canary Island can span nearly 1,000 miles, contributing to the staggering 6,829 deaths recorded in 2024 (npr.org).

Mauritania's Growing Role as a Transit Point

Mauritania has emerged as a crucial transit point for migrants aiming to reach the Spanish Canary Islands. Its extensive Atlantic coastline makes it a strategic location for departures. Since June 2024, more than 76 boats carrying approximately 6,130 surviving migrants have disembarked in Mauritania (cnn.com). During this period, at least 190 migrants have been reported dead or missing (cnn.com).

The majority of migrants who departed for the Canary Islands in 2024 originated from Mauritania (npr.org). The European Union has recognized Mauritania's strategic importance in migration control, providing 210 million euros ($229 million) in financial support to help the country manage migration and offer humanitarian aid to migrants (aljazeera.com).

Surge in Canary Islands Arrivals

The number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands has increased significantly in recent years, highlighting the growing pressure on this migration route. In 2024 alone, over 19,700 migrants arrived irregularly in the Canary Islands via the West Atlantic Route (cnn.com). This figure represents a substantial rise compared to the 7,590 arrivals during the same period in 2023 (cnn.com).

The year 2023 witnessed approximately 40,000 arrivals in the Canary Islands, more than double the number recorded in 2022 (bbc.com). Frontex reported that over 50,000 migrants made the journey from northwest Africa to Spain's Canary Islands in 2024 (npr.org). Furthermore, 2024 marked a record period for arrivals in the Canary Islands, with 46,843 migrants reaching the archipelago (africanews.com).

Migrant Arrivals in Canary Islands

2023:

40,000

2024:

46,843

2024 (Jan-Jul):

19,700

2023 (Jan-Jul):

7,590

Comparison of migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands by year. Source: (bbc.com), (africanews.com), (cnn.com)

Recent Tragedies on the Route

The recent capsizing incident is unfortunately not an isolated event. The West Atlantic Route continues to claim lives with alarming regularity. In July 2024, a separate migrant shipwreck off Mauritania resulted in 15 confirmed deaths and over 195 individuals missing (cnn.com). On July 5, Mauritanian coastguards recovered the bodies of 89 migrants from another capsized boat (bbc.com).

More than 100 bodies have been discovered off the coast of Mauritania in recent weeks (infomigrants.net). In January 2025, over 40 Pakistani migrants were feared drowned off the African coast (npr.org). These incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding on this deadly migration path.

Challenges in Data and Understanding

While the data provides a grim picture of the West Atlantic Route, there are inherent challenges in fully grasping the scope of the crisis. Discrepancies in reported death tolls and passenger numbers across different sources are common. For example, some reports cite 69 deaths, others 70, and some even over 100, with passenger estimates ranging from 150 to 300 (thenewhumanitarian.org), (news.sky.com), (aljazeera.com). These variations highlight the difficulties in obtaining precise figures in the chaotic aftermath of such tragedies.

The term "irregular migrants" is frequently used to refer to individuals who cross borders without authorization. This terminology reflects the complex legal and political frameworks surrounding migration. The underlying reasons for migration, such as fleeing war and poverty, are broad drivers (aljazeera.com). However, specific details about the individual backgrounds or socio-economic contexts of the migrants are often not available. This lack of detailed information makes it challenging to fully understand the human stories behind the statistics.

Factors Contributing to Capsizing

The immediate cause of the recent capsizing was passengers rushing to one side of the boat (africanews.com). However, several underlying factors contribute to these disasters. Many migrant boats are "overloaded" and "unseaworthy," meaning they are carrying more people than they can safely handle and are not fit for open-ocean travel (aljazeera.com). These vessels, often traditional fishing boats, are not designed for long voyages or large numbers of passengers (thenewhumanitarian.org).

Furthermore, adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and high waves, play a significant role in capsizing incidents (aljazeera.com). While the nature of irregular migration implies the role of human trafficking networks, specific details about their operations and how they contribute to these dangerous conditions are not always explicitly stated. The combination of overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels and challenging sea conditions creates a highly perilous environment for migrants.

Fatalities on the West Atlantic Route

4,500+
Deaths and disappearances since 2014

1,950+
Deaths in 2023 (second deadliest year)

5,000+
Migrants killed in first 5 months of 2024

6,829
Deaths on Mauritania-Canary Islands route in 2024

Key statistics on fatalities along the West Atlantic Route. Source: (cnn.com), (bbc.com), (npr.org)

Rescue Efforts and Survivor Treatment

In the wake of these tragedies, rescue efforts are mounted by various organizations. The Mauritanian Coast Guard plays a primary role in responding to capsizing incidents (thenewhumanitarian.org). For instance, after one incident, they rescued nine survivors (thenewhumanitarian.org). The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also participates in rescue operations, reporting that Mauritanian coastguards rescued 120 people in another event (news.sky.com).

While the immediate rescue of survivors is critical, detailed information on their subsequent treatment, long-term care, or the specifics of ongoing search operations is not always readily available. For example, ten of those rescued in one incident were taken to the hospital (news.sky.com). The focus remains on the immediate aftermath of these devastating events, with less public information on the comprehensive support provided to those who survive the perilous journey.

The Human Cost and Future Outlook

The statistics on deaths and disappearances on the West Atlantic Route paint a grim picture of the human cost of migration. Each number represents a life lost, a family shattered, and a dream unfulfilled. The increasing number of arrivals in the Canary Islands, despite the route's deadly reputation, indicates a persistent drive among individuals to seek better opportunities, often fleeing difficult circumstances in their home countries.

The continued tragedies highlight the urgent need for international cooperation and effective policies to address the root causes of irregular migration. This includes providing safe and legal pathways for migration, combating human trafficking networks, and investing in development initiatives in countries of origin. Without comprehensive and humane solutions, the West Atlantic Route will continue to be a highway of despair and death for many seeking a new beginning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.