The Senegalese navy intercepted over 600 migrants heading towards Europe off the nation’s coastline within a three-day span, as reported by the organisation on Sunday.
According to a statement posted on the navy’s social media account, one of their patrol boats conducted the boarding of two canoes on Saturday, which were carrying a total of 262 passengers. Among these passengers, there were 26 women and 13 minors on board.
The number of people intercepted on Saturday adds to a three-day total of 605 individuals, following the navy’s interception of a boat carrying 272 passengers on Friday and another boat with 71 passengers the day before.
In recent weeks, the Senegalese navy has intensified its efforts in boarding and conducting rescue operations aimed at addressing the issue of illegal migration.
According to information shared on its social media platform, the Senegalese navy has intercepted a total of 1,955 potential migrants since July 1.
In late July, the Senegalese government unveiled a comprehensive 10-year strategy to address irregular migration from the West African nation.
The five-pillar plan includes enhancing border management and law enforcement efforts against smugglers while also aiding in the repatriation and reintegration of migrants within Senegal.
Each year, thousands of Africans, in pursuit of a brighter future, make the perilous journey across the Atlantic to reach Europe, despite the inherent dangers that have claimed the lives of hundreds.
They embark on their journeys using very low quality boats or motorised canoes provided by smugglers, whom they compensate for the voyage.
A significant number of them arrive in the Canaries, which is a Spanish archipelago serving as a gateway to Europe.
From January 1 to August 31, the islands witnessed 11,439 migrant arrivals, marking a 7.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022, as reported by the Spanish Interior Ministry.
This represents the highest number for this time of the year since at least 2018 and likely the highest since 2006.
As of the start of 2023, 140 migrants have lost their lives or gone missing during this crossing, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in early September.
