Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

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World

144 migrants dead or missing off Mauritania in a week, one boat responsible for the tragedy

From July 13 to 19, 2026, 144 migrants died or went missing off Mauritania, according to the UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency, a UN programme based in Geneva). Nearly all deaths were caused by a single vessel departing from Bufalo, Gambia, that was rescued on July 18 after 25 days adrift in the Atlantic Ocean: 143 dead or missing, 38 survivors. Three rescue operations brought 387 people safely to Nouadhibou. The UN calls for stronger safe migration pathways.

22 July 2026 at 17:37

World

Mauritania: 144 dead or missing in one week on the Canary Islands route

A total of 144 people died or went missing off Mauritania during the week of July 13–19, 2026, according to the UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency). The toll was dominated by a single vessel that departed from Bufalo in Gambia and drifted for approximately 25 days on the Atlantic before being rescued on July 18: 143 passengers died or went missing, while 38 survived. In parallel, three rescue operations brought 387 people safely to Nouadhibou between July 14 and 18.

21 July 2026 at 13:26

World

Mauritania: 144 migrants dead or missing at sea in one week off Nouadhibou

Between July 14–18, 2026, 144 people died or went missing at sea off Mauritania's coast, according to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), as reported by Le Monde. During the same period, three rescue operations brought 387 people safely to Nouadhibou, the country's second-largest city. These shipwrecks occurred on the West Africa–Canary Islands Atlantic route, classified among the world's deadliest migration corridors.

21 July 2026 at 12:00

World

Two Rohingya Boats with Over 500 People Missing in Bay of Bengal

Two boats carrying over 500 Rohingya refugees disappeared in the Bay of Bengal after departing Rakhine State, Myanmar in late June 2026. The IOM and UNHCR announced on July 16, 2026 that no survivors have been reported to date. The second boat reportedly sank on July 8, 2026. Rohingya Rights Watch fears up to 530 deaths, including women and children. Official death tolls remain unconfirmed, as independent verification in Myanmar continues to be extremely difficult.

16 July 2026 at 15:22

World

Over 500 Rohingya feared dead after two suspected shipwrecks off Myanmar, UN reports

The IOM and UNHCR released a joint statement on July 16, 2026, reporting that over 500 people are feared dead following two suspected shipwrecks off Myanmar since late June 2026. The two vessels departed from Rakhine State carrying primarily Rohingya refugees. The first boat, carrying approximately 250 people, lost all contact shortly after departure. The second vessel, with approximately 280 people aboard, is believed to have sunk on July 8, 2026, off the Ayeyarwady coast. The statement calls for strengthened rescue operations and action against human trafficking networks exploiting vulnerable refugees.

16 July 2026 at 06:16

Climate

Two shipwrecks off Myanmar: Over 500 Rohingyas presumed dead according to UN

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned on July 16, 2026 that over 500 Rohingya refugees may have died in two shipwrecks off Myanmar that occurred in late June and early July 2026. Both boats departed Rakhine State carrying approximately 530 people total, including passengers from refugee camps in Bangladesh. Neither incident has been officially confirmed. These tragedies continue a deadly pattern: roughly 900 deaths in 2025 and 300 missing since January 2026, according to the United Nations.

16 July 2026 at 05:00

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

144 migrants dead or missing off Mauritania in a week, one boat responsible for the tragedy

Mauritania: 144 dead or missing in one week on the Canary Islands route

Mauritania: 144 migrants dead or missing at sea in one week off Nouadhibou

Two Rohingya Boats with Over 500 People Missing in Bay of Bengal

Over 500 Rohingya feared dead after two suspected shipwrecks off Myanmar, UN reports

Two shipwrecks off Myanmar: Over 500 Rohingyas presumed dead according to UN

Related topics

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

144 migrants dead or missing off Mauritania in a week, one boat responsible for the tragedy

Mauritania: 144 dead or missing in one week on the Canary Islands route

Mauritania: 144 migrants dead or missing at sea in one week off Nouadhibou

Two Rohingya Boats with Over 500 People Missing in Bay of Bengal

Over 500 Rohingya feared dead after two suspected shipwrecks off Myanmar, UN reports

Two shipwrecks off Myanmar: Over 500 Rohingyas presumed dead according to UN

Related topics