Senegalese Navy Intercepts 201 Migrants Amid Rising Crossings to Canary Islands

Edited By : Aminata Diallo

The Senegalese navy intercepted 201 migrants of various West African nationalities during two separate operations on Tuesday evening in the Saloum Delta, located in the western Fatick region. According to a statement by the armed forces, 132 migrants were found aboard a wooden pirogue at sea, while 69 others were apprehended on land.

This comes amid a surge in attempts to cross the Atlantic Ocean from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands — a route considered the most lethal for African migrants. While official data on departures remains scarce, Spanish authorities recorded nearly 47,000 arrivals in 2024, up from 40,000 in 2023. Rights group Walking Borders estimates thousands have died this year alone attempting the journey.

Among those intercepted were several women and children, a trend that reflects a shift from the predominantly male migration flow. Despite a €210 million deal between the EU and Mauritania in 2024 to curb migrant departures, West African coasts remain heavily used. Aid workers report increased traffic during winter months due to calmer seas, though departures continue year-round. Many boats that go missing are later found drifting in the Caribbean or Latin America, often carrying only human remains.