The Senegalese navy intercepted 201 West African migrants this week. Authorities announced the successful operation on Wednesday. This comes as the perilous Atlantic migration route continues its deadly resurgence.
The operation unfolded in the western Fatick region. Senegalese marines based in Foundiougne led the intervention. Sixty-nine individuals were apprehended on land. The remaining 132 were intercepted aboard a wooden pirogue. This vessel was found in the Saloum delta on Tuesday evening.
The Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands has reemerged as a major route. Nearly 47,000 people reached the Canaries in 2024. This figure marks an increase from the approximately 40,000 recorded in 2023. The journey remains exceptionally dangerous.
The death toll along this route is immeasurable. Spanish migrant rights group Walking Borders estimates thousands of fatalities this year alone. Information on departures from West Africa is often scarce. This makes an accurate accounting of lives lost nearly impossible.
Those apprehended Wednesday represent various West African nationalities. Several women and children were among the group. The Saloum delta is increasingly a common departure point for these illicit journeys. Aid workers note a rising number of women and children risking their lives.
An EU deal with Mauritania, signed last year, aimed to curb smuggling. The 210 million euro agreement has shown limited impact on migrant arrivals. Desperate individuals continue to seek better lives.
Winter often sees an increase in attempted crossings due to calmer waves. However, migrants undertake the risk throughout the year. Vessels frequently vanish in the vast Atlantic. Some drift for months, ending far across the ocean, carrying only tragic remains.
Historically, this route served West Africans fleeing poverty or violence. Recently, a broader demographic has emerged. Migrants from distant nations, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan, now embark on these perilous fishing boats. They too seek the elusive European archipelago.