At least 12 people died on Wednesday after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Senegal, in the department of Mbour in the west of the African country, official sources reported.
According to the Senegalian Press Agency (APS), the bodies were recovered in the morning off the coastal town of Joal-Fadiouth, while at least 35 people survived and were handed over to the local gendarmerie brigade for the relevant procedures.
The Argentine News Agency learned that authorities indicated the death toll is provisional, as search and verification operations in the area continue.
So far, it has not been possible to accurately determine how many people were on the pirogue or the exact causes of the sinking, which reportedly occurred around 5 a.m. local time.
The incident once again highlights the extreme risks faced by thousands of migrants trying to leave Senegal and other West African countries on precarious vessels on highly dangerous sea routes, and in many cases, overloaded.
Security forces and emergency services are keeping an investigation open to clarify what happened and determine responsibilities, while survivors are receiving assistance and being questioned as part of the operation.
