By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
A boat carrying at least 30 decomposing bodies was discovered off the coast of Senegal, according to military authorities. The wooden vessel, known as a pirogue, was found drifting about 70 km from Dakar. Senegalese fishermen alerted the navy, who retrieved the boat and confirmed that the advanced state of decomposition made recovery and identification efforts challenging.
The boat is believed to have carried migrants attempting the perilous journey to Spain’s Canary Islands, a common route from West Africa despite its dangers. A local boat owner, Mandiaye Diène, described the journey as “a kind of suicide,” while another fisherman, Bassirou Mbengue, said the presence of foreign trawlers has devastated local fishing, forcing some to turn to illegal migration.
“There are no fish left on our coasts and fishing equipment is expensive,” Mbengue explained, adding that while the risks are high, many feel desperate. Senegal’s government recently announced a 10-year plan to combat illegal migration, but with nearly 1,000 migrant deaths reported on this route last year, the tragedies persist.
Source: BBC News
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