Mauritania's coast guard says at least 49 died when a boat carrying migrants capsized this week

Mauritania’s coast guard says at least 49 died when a boat carrying migrants capsized this week World Aug 29, 2025 1:38 PM EDT

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — At least 49 people died and nearly 100 are still missing after a boat carrying migrants capsized this week, the Mauritanian coast guard said Friday.

Authorities said the boat came from Gambia and capsized Tuesday morning off the coast of Mheijrat.

“The boat left Gambia a week ago and had 160 people on board, including Senegalese and Gambian nationals,” Mohamed Abdallah, the head of the coast guard, told The Associated Press.

“When the migrants saw the lights of the Mheijrat, they tried to move to one part of the boat, causing it to capsize,” Abdallah said.

The official said 49 bodies have washed ashore and just 17 people have be