The Navy reported on Monday that a boat sinking off the coast of Senegal led to the deaths of at least nine individuals, marking yet another tragic event linked to migration in West Africa.
On Sunday, a pirogue involved in “irregular emigration” overturned near the western town of Mbour, as stated in a post by the Navy on X. Three vessels and a Spanish maritime patrol aircraft are involved in the ongoing search effort launched by the navy.
According to the Navy, nine deceased individuals and three survivors have been identified, and local fishermen have rescued an unknown number of people. The exact count of those missing has not been disclosed.
Senegal’s coasts continue to serve as crucial departure points for migrants heading to Europe. Due to strong currents, the Atlantic route poses significant risks, leading to numerous deaths and disappearances annually on overcrowded and often unseaworthy boats.
The number of migrants arriving in Spain’s Canary Islands has already surpassed 22,000 this year, more than double the figure from the previous year.