Mauritania’s armed forces said the navy rescued the boat on 31 October with 118 men, 14 women and two children aboard. Passengers were of different nationalities, which the statement did not identify.
The army described the operation as both lifesaving work and action against migrant-smuggling networks. The passengers’ health, arrangements for their care ashore and their subsequent immigration status remained unspecified. The boat’s departure point and time spent at sea were also unknown.