17 children among 250 migrants rescued in 'state of shock' off Mauritania coast
Source:
AFP / TRT Afrika English
Thousands of mostly young people have for years attempted the perilous Atlantic route on overloaded and often dilapidated boats.
The Mauritanian Coast Guard said it rescued 260 migrants in two boats, including 17 children, off the country's Atlantic coast on Sunday.
The migrants were on two vessels that left Banjul in The Gambia and were in a state of shock after running out of food and facing fuel and navigation problems, the service said.
They were spotted off the coast of the capital, Nouakchott, after spending approximately seven days as sea, it added.
Among those rescued were 132 Senegalese nationals, 120 Gambians, four Guineans and several others from west Africa, said a coast guard statement.
In addition to the 17 children, 61 women were on board the boats, it added.
Thousands of mostly young people have for years attempted the perilous Atlantic route on overloaded and often dilapidated boats to reach Europe via Spain's Canary Islands.
Many are fleeing poverty and resort to the clandestine journey as European countries have drastically restricted issuing visas and tightened control over their borders.
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