Senegal’s navy discovered at least 30 decomposing bodies on a boat adrift 70 kilometers off the coast of Dakar. The wooden canoe, typically used by migrants to reach Europe, was brought into port on Monday morning. The bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating the migrants had been adrift for several days.
The boat was likely en route to Spain’s Canary Islands, a perilous 1,500 km journey across the Atlantic Ocean, commonly taken by West African migrants. Fishermen found the drifting vessel, and investigations are underway to determine the boat’s origin and the number of people on board.
Senegal has seen a surge in illegal migration attempts due to unemployment and poverty. Local boat owners express despair over the loss of livelihood from fishing, driving some to risk the dangerous sea route to Europe. Authorities recently launched a 10-year plan to tackle illegal migration and prevent further tragedies.
Despite frequent deaths, the desire for a better life continues to push many young West Africans towards risky journeys. Human rights organizations have called for greater awareness and preventive measures to address the root causes of migration.