At least 13 Senegalese migrants from the same village perished after their boat sank off the coast of Morocco late last week, according to Barron’s Magazine, which cited AFP on Thursday.
The news comes amid increased focus on the Atlantic migration route, which extends from the coast of West Africa to the Canary Islands, following the sinking–or at least the indeterminate fate–of several boats in recent weeks.
“Oumar Cisse, the mayor of Rufisque (near Dakar) reclassified as deaths the 13 in question who had been missing, and an additional 5 persons from the 63-person pirogue which capsized are still unaccounted for. (Pirogues–wooden fishing boats—are the preferred instruments used for illegal migrant crossings).
Cisse stated that the survivors–including 6 from his town–are being looked after in the municipality of Dakhla,” in southern Morocco, adding that he was working with local authorities to repatriate survivors.
Senegal’s President, Macky Sall, recognized the victims of recent maritime catastrophes and called for tighter safety restrictions, enhanced surveillance, and social assistance which improve the lives of young citizens at home, thereby reducing the incentive to risk their lives in emigrating under such dangerous conditions.
He also advocated for public efforts to curb illegal migration. In one week, Morocco’s navy rescued roughly 900 would-be illegal migrants, 400 of whom were located within in its maritime boundaries.