Dozens of people have died and many others remain missing after a small boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Senegal, as it was heading towards Spain’s Canary Islands.
The tragic incident occurred near the coastal area of Ngazobil (also known as Ingazobil), in the town of Joal.
According to Senegalese security sources, at least 12 bodies have been recovered, while 31 people were rescued. One survivor was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
The Senegalese navy, supported by rescue teams, is continuing intensive search operations for those still missing, despite difficult sea conditions.
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the illegal crossing and to identify suspected human smuggling networks, accused of trafficking migrants and recklessly endangering their lives.
The shipwreck is part of a series of tragedies highlighting the extreme dangers of the Atlantic migration route, now considered one of the deadliest pathways from West Africa to Europe. According to the Spanish human rights organisation Caminando Fronteras, thousands of migrants die every year attempting similar crossings, with the group estimating that nearly 10,000 people lost their lives in 2024 alone.
