At least 39 people have died after a migrant vessel capsized off Senegal while attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands.
The small wooden boat overturned off Senegal’s north-western coast, near Kébémer.
Early reports put the death toll at 34, but rescuers have since recovered more bodies, bringing the total to 39. Only one survivor has been reported.
The disaster has renewed concern over the risks faced by people crossing the Atlantic Ocean in search of migration routes.
Migrant Boat Capsizes Near Kébémer, Senegal
The vessel is believed to have capsized on Sunday while travelling towards Spain’s Canary Islands.
It went down in waters near Kébémer.
Senegalese authorities say search and rescue operations are under way. However, it has been difficult to establish how many people were aboard.
Few details have emerged about the boat or its passengers.
A migrant support group in Senegal said those whose bodies have been recovered so far were identified as Senegalese nationals. The identities and nationalities of the other passengers have not been confirmed.
President Expresses Condolences
Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, offered his sympathies to the families of those who died.
He also urged young people not to put their lives in danger.
Faye pledged to intensify efforts to break up networks involved in arranging illegal migration.
The government said it must also strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries.
The Atlantic Route Is Highly Dangerous
The sea route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands is considered extremely hazardous.
Many migrants attempt the crossing in crowded wooden boats, where they may face rough waters, powerful currents, mechanical breakdowns, dehydration and a lack of food and water.
Hundreds of people are believed to have died on the Atlantic route in 2026.
Some crossings take several days, with passengers travelling in boats that have little safety equipment and limited means of communication.
Another Migrant Boat Intercepted in Senegal
The capsizing comes as Senegalese authorities work to prevent people from embarking on dangerous migration journeys.
Authorities recently intercepted another boat carrying 142 migrants bound for Spain.
Those aboard included 23 women, two babies and two children. They were believed to come from several West African countries, including Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Nigeria.
The interception highlights that people continue to make the journey in hopes of reaching Europe.
In Senegal and other West African countries, many people face limited employment prospects, financial hardship and pressure from their families, which can lead them to migrate.
Many young people hope to find better opportunities and higher wages in Europe, while also providing support for their families.
But safe, affordable ways to migrate are limited. As a result, some people risk their lives by undertaking dangerous journeys organised by smugglers.
High youth unemployment has also increased pressure on Senegal’s government to create more opportunities.
Canary Islands a Key Arrival Point for Migrants
The Canary Islands are a major entry point for migrants crossing the Atlantic from West Africa.
On Spain’s island of El Hierro, authorities have declared a state of emergency following a sharp rise in arrivals.
More than 3,300 people reached the island aboard around 30 boats during the first few days of November.
The arrivals have added to the burden on local services. Authorities in Europe and Africa have struggled to manage irregular migration.
The Senegal disaster illustrates the deadly toll of these journeys and the importance of addressing the underlying reasons people undertake them.