Bafuloto Boat Tragedy: Hundreds Feared Dead as ‘Backway’ Journey Ends in Heartbreak

The recent disaster with migrants trying the risky ‘backway’ route to Europe highlights just how dangerous irregular migration really is.

Mauritanian authorities, along with Ebrima Migrants Situation, reported that a migrant boat that left from Bafuloto, The Gambia, was intercepted near Nouadhibou, Mauritania, with just 38 people aboard.

The boat was in terrible shape—no engine, no GPS, and just one gallon of fuel left, leaving passengers stuck at sea.

Sadly, one Senegalese migrant passed away shortly after being intercepted. Another victim, Sulayman Jallow from Brikama Ba, The Gambia, died later while traveling with four family members.

There are also claims that the boat started with about 270 passengers, raising concerns that around 234 people may have perished on the way. These numbers haven’t been verified yet.

Survivors Who Were Rescued

Mauritania has shared the names of these survivors:

1. Unknown (Gambia)

2. Bebe Ndey (Senegal)

3. Adama Sy (Senegal)

4. Ali Boubacar Sow (Senegal)

5. Aida Sour (Senegal)

6. Adramane Barri (Senegal)

7. Dosso Mori (Côte d’Ivoire)

8. Abdou Diakhaté (Senegal)

9. Angeline Haba (Guinea)

10. Demba Diop (Senegal)

11. Amadou Ka (Senegal)

12. Omar Bah (Gambia)

13. Modou Bah (Senegal)

14. Abdoulaye Sow (Senegal)

15. Guelaye Ngom (Senegal)

16. Ibrahima Ka (Senegal)

17. Gueye Ndiaye (Senegal)

18. Oumar Salane (Senegal)

19. Oumar Bah (Senegal)

20. Bourré Ndour (Senegal)

21. El Hadj Baba Sene (Senegal)

22. Hibou Gueye (Senegal)

23. Samba Salla (Senegal)

24. Ousmane Fall (Senegal)

25. Ndiatte Sene (Senegal)

26. Khalipha Dioum (Senegal)

27. Mohamed Seck (Gambia)

28. Moustapha Seck (Gambia)

29. Falou Cissé (Senegal)

30. Samba Diallo (Gambia)

31. Mohamed William (Senegal)

32. Aladi Ndiaye (Gambia)

33. Moctar Dia (Senegal)

34. Abdoul Rahim Diallo (Gambia)

35. Biram Diouf (Senegal)

36. Falou Ndaw (Gambia)

37. Cheikh Tidjane Ndaw (Senegal)

38. Baba Sene (Senegal)

This tragic event should serve as a serious wake-up call for young Africans who are still risking everything on the dangerous ‘backway’ journey. The Atlantic has claimed countless lives, turning hopeful dreams into heartbreak for families everywhere.

Human traffickers are still taking advantage of vulnerable youths, offering false hopes of a better life while exposing them to real dangers like starvation, dehydration, exploitation, and even death. No dream is worth such a huge risk.

Jarra News Media sends heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We truly hope listing the names of those rescued will help families looking for info about relatives who might have been on that boat.

May Allah have mercy on those who lost their lives, grant them eternal peace, comfort their families, and keep our youth safe from the hazards of irregular migration. Ameen.

Source: Ebrima Migrants Situation.”