More than 1,000 migrants were rescued in a single week off the coast of west Africa as they attempted the dangerous Atlantic migration route to Europe, charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said.
The 1,046 people were traveling in seven boats, all of which had departed The Gambia and were headed for Spain’s Canary Islands, before becoming stranded at sea, MSF said in a statement Monday.
After being intercepted in the last week of August, they were brought to Nouadhibou in Mauritania and to the cities of Rosso and Dakar in Senegal.
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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 and rickety boats as European countries have drastically restricted the issuing of visas and tightened control over their borders.
The survivors were suffering from a variety of problems, including extreme dehydration, unconsciousness, bone fractures, extreme fatigue, and skin, gastric and respiratory infections, MSF said.
“The psychological impact on the survivors is profound, as many witnessed their loved ones die during the crossing”, it added.
Among the migrants were 134 women, including one who was pregnant, as well as 88 minors, the organisation said.
Most were from Senegal and The Gambia, although some were from Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast and other countries.
Many told MSF they had been subjected to violence, both in their home countries and along the migration route.
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