Senegal’s navy has reported intercepting four boats in a span of three days, carrying more than 600 individuals attempting the perilous journey to Spain’s Canary Islands, a gateway to Europe.
Social media footage captured migrants jumping off a grounded boat in Senegal’s coastal city of St Louis, driven by strong winds and the desire to evade navy patrols, which have been intensified.
Witnesses described the scene, stating, “We were at the beach chilling when suddenly we saw a pirogue [wooden-style boat] arriving with migrants on board. When they got closer to the shore, they were frantically jumping into the water.”
The government presented a 10-year plan in July to combat irregular migration, focusing on strengthened border management.
Since early 2023, at least 140 migrants attempting the Atlantic crossing have died or gone missing, as reported by the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In August, over 2,690 people arrived in the Canary Islands from Senegal and Morocco, more than double the previous year’s figure for the same month.
Despite the dangers, some still attempt the journey due to economic difficulties in Senegal.
The country’s navy shared details of recent interceptions:
- Thursday, September 28: A pirogue with 71 individuals, including 13 children.
- Friday, September 29: Two pirogues spotted with 272 passengers, including seven children, about 100km off Dakar’s coast, coordinated with the air force.
- Saturday, September 30: Two pirogues carrying 262 people, including 13 children, were intercepted.