Mauritanian police have arrested 125 Pakistani migrants attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands. The group was detained in Nouakchott, the capital, on November 27 while attempting to cross in a small canoe-like boat, known as a *cayuco*.
The arrests were part of an operation targeting a human smuggling ring involving three Pakistani individuals. Authorities seized fuel cans, a boat engine, life jackets, and sailor uniforms during the operation.
This follows another recent arrest of 16 Pakistani migrants who had entered Mauritania illegally. Mauritania has increasingly become a key route for migrants attempting to reach Europe, partly due to heightened border controls in other regions.
The Canary Islands, a primary destination for African migrants, have seen a rise in arrivals since 2019, with over 40,000 migrants reaching the islands this year, a record number. The increase in migration is accompanied by a sharp rise in fatalities, with at least 690 deaths recorded in 2023.
Mauritania signed a 210 million euro deal with the EU in February to curb smuggling and deter migrant boats.
