Dozens killed after migrant boat sinks off Senegal

The incident occurred near Kebemer off the coast of northwestern Senegal. Authorities on El Hierro in the Canary Islands have declared an emergency after a marked increase in migrant boat arrivals. At least 34 people were killed after a small boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of northwestern Senegal , Senegalese authorities said.

Thousands have died in recent years after embarking on boats from the Senegalese coast in order to reach Spain's Canary Islands through the perilous Atlantic route. Initially, the Senegalese Ministry of the Interior stated that only one person had been rescued from the capsizing and that 21 bodies had been recovered. On Saturday, the ministry stressed the government's "determination to combat people smuggling networks, notably through strengthened cooperation with neighboring countries." Senegalese authorities said they intercepted 142 migrants on a similar boat aimed at reaching Spanish territory on Friday.

The boat included nationals of multiple West African countries.