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BY Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku, 9:14pm July 10, 2025,

Senegal intercepts over 200 migrants amid surge in risky Atlantic crossings

by Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku, 9:14pm July 10, 2025,
Senegal intercepts migrants trying to cross Atlantic Ocean
File photo: Migrants on boat - Photo credit: Vito Manzari/Martina Franca (TA), Italy

Senegalese authorities intercepted more than 200 West African migrants this week in one of the country’s most active smuggling zones, as the perilous Atlantic Ocean route to Europe continues to claim lives even as European migration numbers overall decline.

According to a statement released Wednesday by the Senegalese army, the operation was conducted by marines stationed in Foundiougne, in the Fatick region of western Senegal. Officials said 69 individuals were apprehended on land, while 132 others were halted Tuesday night aboard a wooden fishing boat, known locally as a pirogue, in the Saloum delta.

Those stopped included nationals from various West African countries, with several women and children among them, the military’s communications unit, DIRPA, confirmed. The Saloum delta has become an increasingly common departure point for migrants seeking to reach Spain’s Canary Islands.

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Though overall migration to Europe has trended downward, the dangerous Atlantic corridor has surged in recent years. Since 2020, the route from West Africa to the Canaries has seen a sharp increase in activity. Spanish government data shows nearly 47,000 people arrived in the archipelago in 2024, up from about 40,000 in 2023.

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While most of those attempting the journey are still young men, aid organizations based in the Canaries have reported a growing number of women and children taking the risk as well.

The Atlantic path remains one of the most lethal migration routes in the world. Due to poor records of departures, it’s difficult to determine an accurate death toll. However, the Spanish human rights group Walking Borders estimates that thousands have perished this year alone.

The dangers don’t end at sea. Boats that get lost or encounter engine trouble frequently vanish for months, drifting across the Atlantic. Some have washed ashore in the Caribbean or Latin America, containing only the skeletal remains of passengers.

Seasonal weather patterns also affect the migration flow. Winter often brings calmer seas, prompting more attempts, but the year-round desperation of many still drives risky departures during rougher conditions.

Efforts to curb the exodus have had mixed results. In 2023, the European Union signed a €210 million agreement with Mauritania aimed at stopping smugglers from launching boats to Spain. Yet, the deal has not led to any significant reduction in arrivals so far.

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What once was a migration route dominated by West African nationals fleeing poverty or conflict has evolved. Since last year, passengers on these overcrowded boats have included individuals from as far as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan, evidence that global migration pressures are converging on this deadly corridor.

Last Edited by:Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku Updated: July 10, 2025

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