In a devastating incident, more than 60 individuals are feared to have lost their lives after a boat carrying migrants was discovered off the coast of Cape Verde in West Africa.
The vessel, which had been at sea for over a month, was spotted by a Spanish fishing boat approximately 320km (200 miles) off the island of Sal. Cape Verde officials have called for global action on migration to prevent further loss of life.
Salvage efforts resulted in the rescue of 38 people, including children, who were seen being aided ashore, with some requiring stretchers. Reports indicate that the majority of those on board the boat were from Senegal.
Authorities initially believed that the boat had sunk, but it was later clarified that the vessel had been found drifting. The wooden pirogue-style boat was discovered by the Spanish fishing boat, which immediately alerted the authorities.
Among the survivors are four children aged between 12 and 16, according to a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
On July 10, the boat departed from the Senegalese fishing village of Fasse Boye, carrying a total of 101 individuals, as confirmed by Senegal’s foreign ministry. Moda Samb, an elected official from the village, stated that nearly all of those on board had been raised in the community. Local families are anxiously awaiting news to ascertain whether their relatives are among the survivors.
Senegal’s foreign ministry is currently coordinating with Cape Verde authorities in order to facilitate the repatriation of Senegalese nationals.
Passengers on the boat are said to have hailed from other countries such as Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.
According to Jose Moreira, a health official on Sal, the survivors’ condition is improving, and they are receiving necessary care, including rehydration and tests for illnesses like malaria.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing migration issues, Health Minister Filomena Goncalves emphasized the need for international cooperation, discussions, and a comprehensive global strategy. She stressed that the loss of lives at sea must be prevented through collaboration among nations.
Safa Msehli, a spokesperson for the IOM, highlighted the lack of safe migration paths and the resulting inhumane journeys facilitated by smugglers and traffickers.
Although the survivors found themselves in Cape Verde, it is highly likely that this was not their intended destination. The archipelago, situated approximately 600km off the West African coast, lies along the migration route to the Canary Islands, which is considered by many as a pathway to the European Union. This route, according to the IOM, is one of the most perilous journeys migrants can undertake.
Exact figures regarding irregular migration are difficult to obtain, but between 2020 and 2023, at least 67,000 people arrived in the Canary Islands. Tragically, over the same period, more than 2,500 lives were lost. However, this figure only represents the registered deaths, and due to the secretive nature of the migration route, the actual number may be significantly higher.
The decision to leave their homes and embark on such treacherous journeys is driven by various factors. Poverty is often cited as a primary motivation, as Europe is seen as offering a better life for the migrants themselves and the hope of supporting their families back home through remittances.
Additionally, instability in many parts of West Africa, characterized by coups and Islamist insurgencies, exacerbates an already challenging situation. In Senegal, political opposition members have been imprisoned, with reports of violent crackdowns by the authorities. Although President Macky Sall recently announced he would not seek a third term, tensions persist.
Ultimately, the motivations behind migration are as diverse as the individuals who undertake the journey. Each person has their own unique story and reasons. Unfortunately, for at least 60 individuals, their journey met a tragic and traumatic end in the Atlantic Ocean.
BBC/Jide Johnson.
