Brazilian police are investigating a tragic discovery of a boat full of corpses, believed to be African migrants from Mali and Mauritania. The boat was found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil’s northern coastal state of Pará by fishermen. The Federal police recovered nine bodies in total and found documents and objects near the bodies that indicate they were migrants from the African continent. The boat shares characteristics of Mauritanian fishing pirogues used by West African migrants and refugees, suggesting Brazil was not their intended destination. The Atlantic route from West Africa to the European Union territory is dangerous, with boats often being swept away by trade winds and currents, leading to death from dehydration and malnutrition.
An investigation by the Associated Press revealed that in 2021, at least seven boats from northwest Africa were found in the Caribbean and Brazil, all carrying dead bodies. The spike in migration from northwest Africa to Spain this year has raised concerns among European authorities. Despite a deal between the European Union and Mauritania, the majority of departures have been from the West African nation. More than 13,000 migrants have reached the Canary Islands in 2024, but hundreds are still missing. Families in Mauritania have set up a “national commission” to search for missing migrants and are anxiously following news of the boat found in Brazil.
Authorities in Brazil are working to identify the bodies and determine the cause of death, a challenging task due to the advanced state of decomposition. The dangerous Atlantic route has claimed the lives of many migrants, who often die of dehydration and malnutrition while drifting at sea. Missing their intended destination, boats are carried by trade winds and currents from east to west for months. While some migrants jump into the ocean out of desperation, others perish on board.
The discovery of the boat highlights the perilous journey that many African migrants undertake in hopes of reaching Europe. The International Organization for Migration has reported thousands of deaths along the migratory routes, with the Atlantic route being especially treacherous. European authorities have been alarmed by the increase in migration from Northwest Africa to Spain, even with deals in place to address the issue. The plight of missing migrants has prompted families to form commissions and actively search for their loved ones.
The sad fate of African migrants attempting to reach Europe highlights the need for more effective measures to address the root causes of migration and provide safer pathways for those seeking refuge. In the face of the immense challenges and dangers involved in these journeys, it is crucial for international cooperation and support to ensure the safety and well-being of all migrants. The story of the boat found in Brazil is a stark reminder of the human cost of migration and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address this global issue.
