A boat carrying approximately 100 migrants capsized off the coast of Senegal over the weekend, resulting in at least six deaths, according to a spokesperson for the Senegalese armed forces on Monday.
The vessel, a narrow wooden fishing boat known locally as a pirogue, departed from the town of Mbour. State broadcaster Radio Television Senegalaise (RTS) reported that the boat overturned after only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of navigation.
While four individuals were rescued, many passengers remain missing. The Senegalese navy has deployed a plane and two boats to search for survivors and recover bodies, with efforts continuing into Monday.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with the popular migration route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands. European Union border agency Frontex has reported a 154% surge in arrivals to the Canary Islands in the first seven months of this year, with 21,620 people making the crossing.
Spanish authorities, who have police operating in the region, warn that as many as 150,000 more migrants from Africa may attempt this dangerous journey in the coming months.
The tragedy occurs against a backdrop of increased naval activity in the area. On Friday, the French navy, which conducts operations in Senegalese waters, intercepted two pirogues carrying a total of 276 migrants off the Senegalese coast, as announced by the Senegalese Navy on social media platform X.
This latest incident underscores the urgent need for addressing the root causes of migration and implementing safer alternatives for those seeking better opportunities. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures to prevent such tragedies and protect vulnerable migrants.
