New Delhi: At least 35 people have reportedly died after a migrant boat sank off northwestern Senegal, with one survivor rescued and an unknown number of passengers still missing. Search operations continued as the disaster drew renewed attention to the dangerous Atlantic route used by migrants attempting to reach Spain’s Canary islands.
The traditional pirogue reportedly capsized near the Loumpoul dunes in the Kebemer department, between Dakar and Saint-Louis. Authorities have not established how many people were aboard or precisely when the vessel sank.
Senegal’s interior ministry initially announced the recovery of 21 bodies and one survivor. The Senegalese Press Agency (APS) later raised the toll to at least 34, a figure confirmed by Action for Human Rights and Friendship (ADHA), before emergency services placed it at 35 on Sunday night, AFP reported. An interior ministry source warned that the death toll could rise further.
Some reports dated the sinking to Saturday, but Saliou Diouf, founder of migrant support organization Boza Fii, said it occurred on Friday. Diouf said bodies recovered on Saturday were Senegalese, although the nationalities of all those aboard remain unknown.
Senegal mobilizes search operations
The Senegalese president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, said state resources had been mobilized to search for missing people, assist survivors and support bereaved families.
Senegal’s interior ministry expressed condolences and pledged stronger cooperation with neighbouring countries against people-smuggling networks.
The interior minister was expected to visit the affected area on Monday. Meanwhile, rights group Action for Human Rights and Friendship (ADHA) called for a parliamentary investigation into Senegal’s response to irregular migration, Reuters reported.
The tragedy followed Senegalese authorities’ interception on Friday of another vessel carrying 142 people towards Spain. Police said the group included 23 women, two babies and two other children from Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Nigeria.
Why Atlantic route remains deadly
Thousands attempt the Atlantic crossing from West Africa every year, often in overcrowded boats with limited fuel, navigation equipment or supplies. Rough seas, engine breakdowns and long distances from rescue services make the journey particularly dangerous.
At least 635 people died attempting the route between January and May 2026, migrant rights organization Walking Borders reported.
Increased patrols off Senegal, Mauritania and Morocco have reportedly shifted some departures farther south towards Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea, making crossings longer and potentially more dangerous.
Meanwhile, authorities on Spain’s El Hierro island declared an emergency on Saturday after more than 3,300 people arrived aboard approximately 30 boats since the beginning of November.
The influx strained reception facilities and healthcare services on the island, prompting authorities to seek additional assistance from Madrid.
For families awaiting news from Senegal’s coast, the immediate uncertainty is how many people remain missing. Authorities have yet to establish a final passenger count.