The captain of a migrant boat that capsized off the coast of Senegal has been arrested, local authorities announced Tuesday.
Cheikh Sall, who owned and captained the vessel, turned himself into the police on Monday, as confirmed by district prefect Amadou Diop.
The tragic incident, which occurred over the weekend, has resulted in 26 confirmed deaths, according to Senegal’s navy.
The artisanal fishing boat had set sail from Mbour, about 80 kilometers south of Dakar, on Sunday afternoon heading towards Europe.
It capsized just a few miles off the Senegalese coast.
The number of migrants departing from West Africa, especially through Senegal, has surged in recent years due to conflict, poverty, and limited job prospects.
Many are targeting the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago and gateway to continental Europe.
Spain’s Interior Ministry reports that over 22,300 individuals have arrived in the Canary Islands since January, a 126% increase from last year.
Last month, the Senegalese army’s 12-day operation led to the arrest of 453 migrants and smuggling network members, with over half being Senegalese.
The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands remains perilous, with frequent disappearances and tragedies.
A similar incident in July off Mauritania left over a dozen dead and at least 150 missing.