Over 140 migrants die after boat runs out of fuel off Mauritania

A boat carrying migrants and refugees from Africa capsized after running out of fuel, resulting in the deaths of 143 people and the rescue of 38 survivors, authorities said on Tuesday. The vessel, which departed from a coastal departure point in the region, was reportedly overloaded and lacked sufficient provisions for the journey across the Mediterranean Sea.

Rescue teams from the coast guard and humanitarian organizations responded after receiving distress signals, locating the overturned boat several nautical miles from shore. Survivors were taken to a nearby port for medical treatment, while officials began the process of identifying the deceased. The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the sea, a route that has seen a rise in fatalities in recent months.

Local authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including the vessel’s condition and the adequacy of safety measures. International agencies have called for increased monitoring of migrant vessels and greater cooperation to prevent similar loss of life in the future.