At least 39 dead after migrant boat capsizes off Senegal coast

A migrant boat capsized off Senegal's northwestern coast, killing at least 39 people, according to The Independent. The boat overturned on Sunday after leaving the city of Saint-Louis in Senegal.

According to the Ministry of Interior, only one passenger was rescued alive near the town of Kébémer, north of the capital Dakar. Early reports said the death toll was 21, but more bodies were discovered on Monday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 39. It has not been confirmed how many people were on the boat.

Details of the incident

The vessel was following a well-travelled migration route for thousands of young Senegalese seeking better economic conditions. They risk perilous conditions to travel on uncovered wooden canoes for around 800 miles on the Atlantic Ocean to reach Europe.

Senegal's president Bassirou Diomaye Faye offered condolences and vowed to clamp down on networks behind the dangerous crossings.

Action for Human Rights and Friendship, a local non-governmental organisation, on Monday said it was calling on the National Assembly to investigate Senegal's "migration governance" – adding: "It is no longer enough to deplore shipwrecks, announce control measures and count interceptions".

Other reported incidents

On Monday, Greek authorities also recovered 13 bodies from a boat found sailing near the island of Crete. According to the coast guard, a passing Moroccan-flagged cargo ship rescued 18 people from the same vessel, which was carrying migrants. One more person was confirmed dead at a health centre in Crete after the people on board were taken ashore – bringing the total death toll to 14.

Another two boats, one carrying about 47 people and another with about 40 people on board, were also found sailing south of the tourist island.

Why it matters

Thousands of people have died in recent years attempting to reach Spain's Canary Islands from West Africa, including 635 in the first five months of this year, according to migrant rights group Walking Borders. Senegal, Mauritania and Morocco have stepped up maritime patrols around departure points for small boats, forcing them to head further south towards the coasts of Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea, which prolongs the duration of the already hazardous crossing.

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Sources

• independent.co.uk: At least 39 dead after migrant boat capsizes off coast of Senegal | The Independent
• thedailystar.net: 21 dead after migrant boat sinks off Senegal coast | The Daily Star
• ua.news: Migrant boat sinks off Senegal, killing at least 34 — France 24 | UA.NEWS
• tvcnews.tv: 39 Migrants Die As Boat Capsizes Off Senegal Coast - Trending News

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.