At least six people have died after a pirogue capsized off Senegal over the weekend, according to a spokesperson for the country’s armed forces.
The wooden fishing boat, carrying around 100 migrants from Mbour, overturned just 4 km (2.5 miles) into its journey, state broadcaster Radio Television Senegalaise (RTS) reported.
Four people were rescued, but many remain missing, according to RTS. The navy has deployed a plane and two boats to search for survivors and bodies, with efforts ongoing.
The route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands, a popular migration path, has seen a 154% increase this year, with 21,620 arrivals in the first seven months, Frontex data reveals.
Spain, which has police active in the region, estimates that up to 150,000 more migrants from Africa could attempt the perilous crossing in the coming months.
On Friday, France’s navy, operating near Senegal, intercepted two pirogues carrying a total of 276 migrants, according to a Senegalese Navy update on X.
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