Tragic Boat Capsizing Off Senegal Coast Highlights Migrant Crisis

At least six people died after a fishing boat carrying migrants capsized off Senegal. Many are still missing. The vessel was en route to Spain's Canary Islands, a popular migration route that has surged by 154% this year. Rescue operations by Senegalese and French navies are ongoing.

At least six individuals tragically perished when a fishing vessel capsized off Senegal's coast over the weekend, according to a spokesperson for the West African nation's armed forces on Monday.

The boat, a narrow wooden fishing vessel known locally as a pirogue, was carrying about 100 migrants from the town of Mbour. It overturned after traveling just 4 km (2.5 miles), as reported by state broadcaster Radio Television Senegalaise (RTS) late Sunday.

Four individuals have been rescued, but many passengers remain unaccounted for. The Senegalese navy has deployed a plane and two boats to scour the area for both deceased and potential survivors, with search efforts ongoing as of Monday.

The migration route from West Africa to Spain's Canary Islands has gained popularity, experiencing a 154% increase this year. According to the European Union border agency Frontex, 21,620 people have arrived in the Canary Islands in the first seven months of the year.

Spain's law enforcement agencies, active in the region, estimate that up to 150,000 more migrants could attempt the perilous journey in the coming months. In a related incident, France's navy intercepted two pirogues carrying 276 migrants off Senegal's coast on Friday, as announced by the Senegalese Navy on social media platform X.

(With inputs from agencies.)