KEY POINTS
- Six people confirmed dead after a migrant boat capsizes off Senegal’s coast.
- The boat was carrying around 100 migrants when it overturned near Mbour.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing as many remain missing.
At least six people have died after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Senegal over the weekend. The wooden fishing vessel, commonly known as a pirogue, was carrying around 100 migrants when it overturned shortly after departing from the town of Mbour, according to a report by state broadcaster Radio Television Senegalaise (RTS).
Migrant journey ends in disaster
The boat overturned shortly after the start of its voyage of 4 kilometers (2. 5 miles), a commonly travelled migratory route seeking to get to the Spanish territory of Canary Islands. As per RTS, four people have been saved but numerous still are still unaccounted for and the search is still ongoing. The Senegalese navy has used both planes and boats to search for both the survivors and the dead and the exercise has continued.
This year there has been a sharp rise of migration from West Africa to the Canary Islands. As per the European Union’s border guards known as Frontex, arrivals of migrants to the islands increased by 154% in the 7 months of 2024 and more than 21000 people risking their lives to cross the sea.
Ongoing crisis
The risky sea journey remains one of the most popular routes for African migrants seeking a better life in Europe. Spain, which operates a police presence in the region, estimates that as many as 150,000 more migrants may attempt to make the crossing in the coming months.
On Friday, France’s navy intercepted two additional boats off Senegal’s coast, carrying a total of 276 migrants. According to a post by the Senegalese navy on X (formerly known as Twitter), this interception highlights the ongoing efforts by European and African forces to manage the flow of migrants in the region.
Despite these challenges, many continue to risk their lives on overcrowded and unsafe vessels in the hopes of reaching European shores. The latest tragedy off Senegal underscores the deadly nature of these journeys and the urgent need for international cooperation to address the root causes of migration.
