What You Need to Know
Senegalese authorities have reported the recovery of 12 bodies off the coast of Joal in the Mbour region after a boat carrying migrants to the Canary Islands capsized. Rescue teams managed to save around 30 individuals, but concerns grow over the potential number of missing persons, as local reports suggest nearly 200 passengers were aboard the vessel.
Africa. Senegalese authorities have reported the recovery of 12 bodies off the coast of Joal in the Mbour region after a boat carrying migrants to the Canary Islands capsized. Rescue teams managed to save around 30 individuals, according to preliminary casualty reports from a local source.
The boat, a traditional fishing vessel, had set off on a perilous journey to the Canary Islands before capsizing early Wednesday morning.
The exact number of passengers is still unknown, but a local newspaper reported that there were nearly 200 people on board, raising fears of a higher death toll and more missing persons.
The bodies have been transported to the Joal morgue, while survivors have been taken to the National Guard headquarters, where authorities have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident.
The maritime route between West Africa and the Canary Islands has become a significant pathway for irregular migration to Europe over the past decade, but it is also one of the most perilous. In August, a similar incident off the Mauritanian coast resulted in the deaths of 69 migrants. According to the Spanish organization Caminando Fronteras, over 10,000 migrants have died or gone missing at sea in 2024 while attempting to reach Spain, with 1,482 deaths recorded in the first five months of 2025 alone. Despite record numbers last year, the Canary Islands have seen a significant decline in the number of incoming migrants in 2025. According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, 17,555 people arrived between January and mid-December, compared to over 43,000 during the same period in 2024, marking a decrease of nearly 60%.
The maritime route between West Africa and the Canary Islands has become a significant pathway for irregular migration to Europe over the past decade, but it is also one of the most perilous. In August, a similar incident off the Mauritanian coast resulted in the deaths of 69 migrants. According to the Spanish organization Caminando Fronteras, over 10,000 migrants have died or gone missing at sea in 2024 while attempting to reach Spain, with 1,482 deaths recorded in the first five months of 2025 alone.
