DAKAR: In a devastating incident off the coast of Senegal’s capital, Dakar, at least 14 people have lost their lives as their wooden boat capsized, a district deputy mayor said on Monday. The tragic accident is suspected to involve migrants, adding to a series of similar maritime disasters in the region in recent weeks.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue to search for more bodies after the pirogue, a small fishing boat often used for transportation, overturned during the night between Sunday and Monday. Samba Kandji, the district deputy mayor, stated that it appears to be a case of migrants attempting a perilous journey.
As per accounts, the Senegalese navy had attempted to intercept the vessel and called for it to draw alongside, but the occupants chose to flee. The boat capsized in the process, leading to the loss of lives.
As of now, the confirmed death toll stands at 14, but Kandji mentioned that two more bodies have been discovered, indicating that the final toll may rise to 16. Rescue teams remain on high alert and are tirelessly working to find any survivors or recover the bodies of the deceased.
Increase in Migrant Activity Along Atlantic Sea
This tragic incident comes amidst an increase in migrant activity along the Atlantic sea route from northwest Africa, a common path used by migrants seeking to reach Europe through Spain’s Canary Islands. Just last month, in mid-July, another pirogue capsized off Saint-Louis, near Senegal’s border with Mauritania, resulting in the death of 14 people.
Across the region, Moroccan authorities have reported rescuing nearly 900 irregular migrants in the past week alone, most of whom hailed from sub-Saharan Africa. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) regularly report fatal shipwrecks in Moroccan, Spanish, and international waters, with unofficial estimates suggesting that the death toll could reach the dozens, if not hundreds.
The incident highlights the perilous nature of the journey undertaken by many migrants seeking better opportunities and safety in Europe, as they face immense risks and uncertainties on their way to a new life.
