Mauritania intercepts 120 migrants attempting sea crossing to Europe

By Mhamed Bakaye and Mohammad Sio

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania/ISTANBUL (AA) - Mauritania intercepted a boat carrying 120 irregular migrants Tuesday that was attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, according to a security source who spoke to Anadolu on condition of anonymity.

The coast guard stopped the vessel off the coast of Nouadhibou in the southwest, said the source.

The group included women and children, with most originating from West African countries, particularly Gambia and Senegal, as well as Sierra Leone and Somalia.

Several migrants were transferred to hospitals in Nouadhibou by the Mauritanian Red Crescent for medical care, the source added.

Officials have not commented on remarks by the unnamed source.

Mauritania announced on May 2 the dismantling of 88 international human smuggling networks that had been operating routes for African migrants seeking to reach Europe via Mauritanian territory.

Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine told parliament that investigations revealed the networks had ties in several neighboring and foreign countries.​​​​​​​

Mauritania remains a key transit point for migrants from Africa attempting to reach Europe in search of better living conditions and to escape armed conflict and economic crises in their home countries.