More than 150 people are feared dead after a migrant boat heading for Spain’s Canary Islands capsized off the coast of Senegal earlier this week, according to humanitarian groups and local reports.
The vessel, believed to have been carrying around 200 people, sank on Wednesday as it attempted the perilous Atlantic crossing. An aid worker with a migration focused NGO said the scale of the tragedy was still becoming clear, warning that hundreds of families were now facing loss during the holiday period.
Media reports in Senegal said at least 30 survivors had been identified, while 12 deaths have so far been formally confirmed, with several victims recognised by relatives. The true toll is expected to be far higher as search efforts continue.
The boat is reported to have departed from the Saloum Islands area on December 22. According to media accounts, both engines failed during the journey, forcing the captain to attempt an emergency landing on the nearest shore. Chaos reportedly broke out when some passengers entered the water, leading to multiple drownings.
Senegalese authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.
The route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is widely regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths. Media citing humanitarian organisations estimate that nearly 10,000 people died attempting the crossing in 2024 alone.
Despite a sharp drop in arrivals this year compared with record levels in 2024, the latest disaster underscores the continued risks faced by migrants driven to attempt the journey in search of safety or opportunity.