At least 21 dead after migrant boat sinks off Senegal's northwestern coast

At least 21 migrants lost their lives when their boat capsized off the coast of Senegal, according to authorities. Only a single survivor was rescued thus far, with rescue efforts still ongoing. The death toll remains provisional, as the exact number of people on board the vessel is unclear. The incident occurred near Kebemer, approximately 180 kilometers north of Dakar, in northwestern Senegal.

Most of the deceased were from the Leona and Thieppe districts in the Kebemer department, as reported by the local newspaper Le Soleil. This tragic event adds to the rising number of fatalities among migrants attempting the dangerous Atlantic voyage from West Africa to the Canary Islands off Spain's coast. Over 635 people perished in the first five months of the year alone, according to migrant rights group Walking Borders.

Just a day prior, Senegalese authorities intercepted 142 migrants on another small boat allegedly headed for Spain. The group consisted of 23 women, two babies, and two children, and comprised nationals from Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and Nigeria. The Senegalese government pledged to intensify efforts to combat people-smuggling networks, including enhanced cooperation with neighboring countries.

Meanwhile, Spain's Canary Island of El Hierro declared a state of emergency on Saturday following a surge in migrant arrivals. Over 3,300 people had reached the island on around 30 boats since the start of November, reported local authorities. Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco have intensified maritime patrols near departure points, forcing migrant boats further south towards the coasts of Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea, thereby lengthening an already perilous crossing.