President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, during his visit to Mbour, a town where a boat capsized killing at least 37 people, vowed to impose strong penalties on human traffickers. Mbour, situated about 80 kilometers south of Dakar, is a common departure point for young Senegalese attempting the perilous journey to Europe in small fishing boats.
The boat that sank on Sunday had 89 individuals on board, with 37 confirmed fatalities, and only three survivors have been rescued. President Faye emphasized the value of human life and the need to provide better opportunities within Senegal to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Following the incident, the French Navy is still searching for bodies at sea, and the captain of the boat has been arrested after surrendering himself. The exodus of migrants from West Africa, including Senegal, has increased in recent years due to factors such as conflict, poverty, and unemployment, with many aiming to reach the Canary Islands as a gateway to Europe.
The Senegalese military reported detaining 453 migrants and individuals linked to smuggling networks in a coastal patrol operation, with more than half being Senegalese citizens. This event follows a similar tragedy in July, where a boat carrying mostly Gambian and Senegalese migrants capsized off Mauritania, resulting in casualties and numerous missing persons.
The migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is known as one of the most dangerous globally, with thousands of deaths reported this year alone. Due to the lack of information on departures from West Africa, the actual death toll remains unknown, with organizations like Walking Borders estimating a significant loss of life.
Instances of migrant boats going missing or facing distress at sea are common, with some drifting for months before being discovered in the Caribbean or Latin America with only human remains onboard.