At least two dozen migrants died off Senegal’s northern coast when a boat bound for Europe capsized near the town of Saint-Louis, local authorities said Monday, highlighting the perils faced by West Africans seeking refuge in Spain.
Governor Alioune Badara Sambe confirmed the toll, describing the tragedy as a stark reminder of the risks posed by overcrowded and often unseaworthy vessels along the West Africa–Spain migration route.
Emergency responders, including the fire department, quickly mobilised to recover bodies and provide assistance. Survivors were taken to a local hospital in Saint-Louis for medical treatment, while authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
Last year, nearly 1,000 migrants lost their lives on makeshift boats departing Senegal, according to Spanish migration advocacy group Walking Borders. Experts cite youth unemployment, political instability, and climate-related hardships as key factors driving desperate individuals to attempt the dangerous crossing.
The disaster comes amid political unrest in Senegal, where delays in scheduled elections and uncertainty over the president’s tenure have fuelled protests, leaving the country in a state of domestic and political instability.
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The incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address irregular migration and the underlying socioeconomic pressures pushing people toward perilous sea journeys.
