Senegal’s navy reported on Tuesday that the death toll from a migrant boat shipwreck off the coast has risen to at least 26. The incident occurred two days earlier, marking another tragic episode in the ongoing migration crisis affecting West Africa. Initially, nine fatalities were announced, but the discovery of 17 additional bodies on Tuesday has significantly raised the toll.
The navy has confirmed that the search for missing passengers is still ongoing, with many individuals unaccounted for. Witnesses in the western town of Mbour, where the vessel set off, described the boat capsizing shortly after departure, with numerous people aboard. The perilous conditions of the Atlantic route, characterized by strong currents and overloaded, often unseaworthy boats, continue to pose severe risks for migrants.
Senegal’s coasts serve as a major departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, with the Atlantic crossing being notoriously dangerous. This year alone, over 22,000 migrants have arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands, more than double the number from the previous year. The frequent tragedies highlight the ongoing dangers faced by those fleeing from their home countries in search of a better life.
