Senegal and Mauritania Stop Hundreds of Boat Migrants
Politics
ARCHIVE – Teenagers play soccer on the beach in Thiaroye-Sur-Mer. Migrants from Senegal set out in simple fishing boats, known as pirogues, and navigate for several days against strong winds and Atlantic currents. Photo: Annika Hammerschlag/AP/dpa/Archive photo
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Security forces off the coast of West Africa have intercepted more than 750 irregular migrants attempting to cross to Europe within a few days. The Senegalese Navy reported that it had intercepted a boat carrying 210 people on Saturday. Some were said to have had serious health problems. Earlier, on Thursday, 246 migrants had been intercepted off the coast.
Today at 19:09The coast guard of Mauritania, Senegal’s northern neighbor, reported on Wednesday that it had rescued 315 people from a wooden boat that had set sail from The Gambia. Infants were also reportedly on board.
Time and again, people set out from the coast of West Africa to cross the Atlantic to the Canary Islands, which are part of Spain. Numerous people lose their lives each year on this perilous journey, which is about 1,500 kilometers long starting from Senegal.
After a record number of arrivals in the Canary Islands in 2024, the figure has been declining significantly since last year. According to UN figures, 4,400 people have arrived via irregular crossings so far this year through mid-July—a decrease of about 60 percent compared to the previous year. This is attributed to stricter controls and agreements between the EU and Spain and countries in North and West Africa.
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