Senegal Migrant-Boat Death Toll Rises to at Least 35, Emergency Services Say

Emergency services put the provisional death toll from a migrant-boat sinking off Kébémer in northwestern Senegal at 35 or more on Sunday evening, with one survivor. Searches were continuing after the latest count, which replaced an earlier figure of 34 deaths. Senegal’s Interior Ministry said in a statement dated November 8 that 21 bodies and one survivor had been recorded by the evening of November 7. The ministry expressed “profound sadness” and offered condolences to the victims’ families on behalf of the president and government. It said state services had been mobilized to continue searches, assist any survivors and support affected families. The ministry also reaffirmed its efforts against migrant-smuggling networks, including stronger cooperation with neighboring countries. It linked that response to its commitment to the socioeconomic integration of young people. The statement scheduled the interior minister to travel to the area on Monday, November 9.