At Least 30 Bodies Found on Migrant Boat Off Senegal

The Senegalese military reported that at least 30 bodies were discovered on a drifting boat off the coast of Dakar on Monday, VOA reported yesterday.

The navy was alerted to the vessel’s presence on Sunday evening and dispatched a patrol to the location, approximately 70 kilometers from the capital. Due to the advanced decomposition of the bodies, identification is proving challenging, and investigations are underway to determine the boat’s origin and the total death toll.

This incident highlights the rising number of migrants leaving West Africa, many fleeing conflict and poverty for better opportunities in Europe. Earlier this month, a separate incident saw a boat with 89 people capsize, resulting in at least 37 fatalities. Since the start of the year, over 22,300 migrants have reached the Canary Islands, marking a 126% increase compared to last year. The Atlantic route remains one of the deadliest globally, with thousands estimated to have perished this year alone.