At least 34 migrants died after a small boat sank off the coast of northwestern Senegal near Kebemer, according to the Senegalese Press Agency. The Senegalese Ministry of the Interior initially reported one person rescued and 21 bodies recovered, but said the toll was "provisional" and search operations were continuing.
Thousands have died in recent years attempting to reach Spain's Canary Islands via the Atlantic route from the Senegalese coast. On Friday, Senegalese authorities intercepted 142 migrants on a similar vessel bound for Spanish territory, the boat carrying nationals from multiple West African countries.
The Canary Islands are experiencing a surge in arrivals. Authorities on El Hierro Island declared an emergency on Saturday after over 3,300 people arrived on approximately 30 boats since the start of the month. El Hierro, which has about 11,400 residents, is struggling with capacity. Alpidio Armas, head of the El Hierro regional council, told Spanish television conditions at the island's hospital have become "undesirable."
"We are very concerned by this sharp increase in arrivals," Armas said. "This is precisely what has led us to declare an emergency in order to ensure a framework of cooperation with higher-level institutions."
The Senegalese government said it is committed to combating people smuggling networks through strengthened regional cooperation. Migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands reached a record 46,000 in 2024, but have fallen sharply afterward due to increased surveillance and cooperation with African countries.