2020 Senegal shipwreck
On 29 October 2020, a ship which set off from the Senegalese fishing town of M'Bour caught fire and capsized while taking migrants to Spain's Canary Islands. Around 140 people died, and around 60 survivors were saved by the Senegalese and Spanish navies, and civilian fishermen. The International Organization for Migration said it was the deadliest shipwreck of the year.[1]
The wreck came during an uptick in the number of African migrants attempting to reach the European Union by sea to the Canary Islands.[2] Reasons include difficulty of international land travel in Africa due to COVID-19 restrictions, and increased security measures in north Africa; the journey is considerably longer and more hazardous than over the Mediterranean.[3]
Senegal's youth blamed the wreck on the inability of their government to create jobs in their country.[4]
References
- ^ "140 migrants drown near Senegal in 'deadliest shipwreck so far this year', UN reports". Sky News. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Dione, Babacar (29 October 2020). "IOM: 140 dead in weekend migrant ship sinking off Senegal". Associated Press. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Jones, Sam; Burke, Jason (30 October 2020). "Refugee agencies call for action on people smuggling after 140 die in shipwreck". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Peyton, Nellie (13 November 2020). "Senegalese youth decry illegal migration after surge in deaths at sea". Reuters. Retrieved 18 November 2020.