Gambiaj.com – (NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania) – Seven Mauritanian soldiers are missing after a military boat lost contact during a rescue operation off the coast of the capital, Nouakchott, the Mauritanian army and Ministry of Defense announced late Wednesday.

According to an official statement, the military vessel was taking part in an operation to assist a national navy launch that had broken down after becoming immobilized by fishing nets in waters about 30 miles northwest of the Port of Amitié.

Communication with the boat carrying the seven soldiers was interrupted overnight as it headed to the scene, with the last contact recorded at around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Following the loss of contact, air and naval forces were placed on high alert and immediately launched search and rescue operations. As of Wednesday evening, and continuing into Thursday, the search remained ongoing, with military authorities saying efforts were being intensified to locate the missing boat and its crew.

The Coast Guard vessel Arkin successfully rescued the disabled navy launch and towed it safely back to the Port of Nouakchott, with all crew members on board reported safe. However, the fate of the military boat and the seven soldiers aboard remains unknown.

Mauritania’s Atlantic coastline, considered among the world’s richest fishing zones, is heavily trafficked by commercial and artisanal fishing vessels.

Authorities note that abandoned fishing nets and other debris frequently pose serious navigation hazards, sometimes becoming entangled in boat propellers and forcing vessels to issue distress calls.

Such incidents often require complex rescue operations, either to tow immobilized boats to port or to free their propellers at sea. While the initial vessel in distress was successfully recovered, military officials said search operations would continue until the missing soldiers are found.