Senegal Official Says 17 Migrants Killed After Boat Capsizes

The bodies of 17 migrants believed to have been headed for Spain washed up on shore of Senegal’s capital, a city official said Monday.

(Bloomberg) — The bodies of 17 migrants believed to have been headed for Spain washed up on shore of Senegal’s capital, a city official said Monday.

“We believe they were young people trying to leave the country on a small wooden boat,” said Ndeye Top Gueye, a deputy mayor for the seaside commune of Ouakam in Dakar. Their bodies were discovered Monday morning.

These tragedies are recurring, she said.

Spain is a main arrival country for migrants taking the West African and Mediterranean routes, according to a 2021 report by the International Organization for Migration. Men comprise more than 90% of those who leave the region attempting to reach Europe, and the majority make the trip to find work.

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“These young people feel like they’ve run out of options,” Gueye said. “Many just want to do well for their families.” 

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