A small boat heading towards the shores of Spain capsized off the northwest coast of Senegal, leading to at least 34 deaths. Senegalese authorities reported that only one person from the boat has been rescued and 21 bodies have been recovered from the water. This incident occurred near the Kebrmar area, about 180 kilometers north of Senegal's capital, Dakar.
Increasing Dangers of Maritime Travel
This capsized boat is part of a larger crisis that has claimed the lives of thousands at sea in recent years. Migrants board small boats from the shores of Senegal in hopes of reaching the Canary Islands of Spain, facing numerous dangers along the way. Senegalese officials emphasized on Saturday that the search for other passengers from this boat is still ongoing, and the death toll may rise.
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Senegal Government's Actions Against Human Trafficking
The Senegalese Ministry of Interior has also announced a serious commitment to combating human trafficking networks and emphasized cooperation with neighboring countries. In this context, on Friday, 142 migrants who were traveling on a similar boat towards Spanish territory were intercepted by Senegalese authorities. This boat included nationals from several West African countries.
Meanwhile, authorities on El Hierro Island in the Canary Islands of Spain declared a state of emergency on Saturday. This decision was made due to a significant increase in the arrival of migrants to this island. Aludiodio Armas, the president of the regional council of El Hierro, stated that over 3,310 people have arrived on the island since the beginning of this month using about 30 boats. He also expressed concern that the hospital conditions on the island have deteriorated.
Current Situation of Migrants
El Hierro Island, which has a population of about 11,400, is facing an increase in migrant arrivals. In 2024, the number of incoming migrants reached a record 46,000, and this trend has since decreased due to increased monitoring and cooperation with African countries. Armas said, "We are very concerned about this sharp increase in arrivals, and that is why we declared a state of emergency to enhance cooperation with higher authorities."
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