At least 6 dead after migrant boat capsizes off the coast of Senegal

At least six people died after a boat carrying approximately 100 migrants capsized off the coast of Senegal over the weekend, according to Reuters, citing a Senegalese military official. The boat, a traditional wooden fishing vessel known as a pirogue, had departed from the town of Mbour but overturned just 4 km (2.5 miles) into its journey, state broadcaster Radio Television Senegalaise (RTS) reported Sunday.

Four people were rescued, many more remain missing, RTS said. prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation. The Senegalese navy sent a plane and two boats to search for dead and survivors, and military spokesman told Reuters, who added that searches continued Monday.

The migration route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands has seen a surge in activity, with a 154% increase in crossings this year. According to EU border agency Frontex, over 21,600 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands in the first seven months of 2023.