The death toll from the tragic sinking of a migrant boat off a coast near Mbour, Senegal, over the weekend has climbed to at least 39, according to the Senegalese navy on Thursday.
The vessel, reportedly carrying dozens of passengers, capsized just a few kilometres from the western port town of Mbour shortly after setting sail on Sunday.
In a statement on the social media platform X, the navy confirmed that 39 bodies had been recovered between Sunday and midday Thursday, while the search efforts remain ongoing.
Earlier, the navy had reported 26 casualties, but it is feared that the death toll may continue to rise. This latest incident marks yet another devastating tragedy in a series of migration-related accidents off the West African coast.
Senegal remains a key departure point for thousands of migrants attempting the perilous journey to Europe, with many heading towards Spain’s Canary Islands. However, the Atlantic route is notoriously dangerous due to its powerful currents, and each year, thousands of lives are lost or vessels go missing as overloaded, often unfit boats make the attempt.
During a visit to Mbour on Wednesday, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye described the situation as “intolerable” and vowed to intensify efforts to crack down on those responsible for migrant trafficking.
He acknowledged the deep-rooted issue of youth unemployment in Senegal and said the government is working on long-term solutions, although he cautioned that progress will take time.