30 Decomposed Bodies Found on Boat Near Senegal

Bodies found amid rising West African migrant departures
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Sep 23, 2024 11:15 AM CDT
30 Decomposed Bodies Found on Boat Near Senegal
Children play on fishing boats known as "pirogues" in Dakar, Senegal, June 24, 2023.   (AP Photo/Zane Irwin, File)

Senegal's navy discovered at least 30 bodies on a drifting boat off Dakar's coast, amid a surge in West African migration. The military received notification of the vessel's presence on Sunday night, dispatching a patrol to the site located 70 kilometers from the capital, according to military spokesperson Ibrahima Sow. The decomposed state of the bodies complicates identification, with ongoing investigations expected to shed light on the death toll and origin of the boat.

This incident follows an event earlier this month when a boat carrying 89 people capsized near Senegal, resulting in at least 37 deaths. Many West African migrants fleeing conflict and economic hardships aim for Spain's Canary Islands as a gateway to continental Europe. So far this year, the Canary Islands have seen over 22,300 arrivals, an increase of 126% compared to the previous year, according to Spain's Interior Ministry.

Senegal's military has intensified efforts to curb smuggling, arresting 453 people, including network members, during a recent 12-day operation. The dangerous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands is one of the deadliest globally. With many lost vessels going unreported, estimates by the Spanish group Walking Borders suggest thousands of migrant deaths this year. Some boats drift for months, only to be found far away in places like the Caribbean or Latin America, carrying human remains. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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