DAKAR: A boat carrying migrants sank off northwestern Senegal, killing at least 21 people in the latest tragedy along the dangerous Atlantic route from Africa to Europe, authorities said.
The Senegalese Interior Ministry said in a statement that only one person had been rescued, in addition to the 21 bodies recovered.
It said the death toll was “provisional” as of late Saturday, adding that the search was still under way and the families of victims were being assisted.
Media reports said the boat capsized on Saturday off the Loumpoul dunes in Kebemer department, between Dakar and the northern city of Saint-Louis.
Le Soleil newspaper said most of the victims were from the Leona and Thieppe districts in the same department.
Senegalese authorities said on Saturday that they had intercepted 142 migrants, including women and children, who were aboard a small boat attempting to reach Spain.
Thousands of people from West Africa have died in recent years while trying to reach Europe via the perilous Atlantic route to Spain’s Canary Islands.