MBOUR: At least nine people have died after a boat capsized off the coast of Senegal, according to the navy. The pirogue, involved in irregular emigration, sank near the western town of Mbour on Sunday. The navy has launched a search operation with three vessels and a Spanish maritime patrol aircraft. While nine bodies have been recovered and three survivors identified, the exact number of missing persons remains unclear. Local fishermen have also rescued an unknown number of people.
Senegal’s coast is a major departure point for migrants attempting the dangerous Atlantic route to Europe. The journey is fraught with peril, leading to numerous deaths and disappearances each year. So far this year, over 22,000 migrants have arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands, more than double the previous year’s figures.
Mohamed Barro, a local councillor, lamented the loss of his 38-year-old nephew in the shipwreck, highlighting the ongoing tragedy and determination of young people to leave despite the risks.
In response to the migration crisis, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently signed a new agreement with Senegal, focusing on regularizing migration and providing training for Senegalese immigrants in Spain.
