Stranded Dreams: The Treacherous Journey of Migrants from Senegal
A boat with nearly a hundred migrants, aiming to reach Europe's Canary Islands from Senegal, ran aground in Dakar. The perilous Atlantic route remains one of the deadliest, with a marked increase in attempts amid ongoing migration challenges. Migration persists despite EU efforts to curb smuggling.
- Country:
- Senegal
In a distressing turn of events, a vessel carrying approximately a hundred migrants aiming to reach Europe from Senegal found itself grounded in Dakar early Tuesday. These individuals embarked on the perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean, intent on reaching Spain's Canary Islands. Since 2020, this route has again become a significant transit point for those seeking a new life in Europe.
Spanish authorities note a significant rise in migrant landings, with nearly 47,000 arriving in the Canary Islands by 2024, up from around 40,000 the previous year. Such perilous voyages often occur in pirogues, thanks to the lack of engines and boated captain fleeing the scene, reported Abdou Aziz Guèye, mayor of Ouakam.
The dangers of the Atlantic crossing are well documented, with the Spanish advocacy group Walking Borders estimating thousands of deaths this year alone. Despite warnings against the treacherous journey from local authorities and EU interventions aimed at halting such smuggling activities, the surge of migrants continues unabated. Fluctuations in seasonal weather patterns partially drive this continued flow of migration.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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