Senegal and Mauritania intercept over 750 migrants off West African coast

Security forces off the West African coast have intercepted more than 750 irregular migrants attempting to reach Europe within a few days.

In Senegal, the navy intercepted a boat carrying 210 people on Saturday, noting that some individuals were experiencing serious health issues. This followed an earlier interception on Thursday involving 246 migrants. Meanwhile, Mauritanian authorities rescued 315 people from a wooden boat that had departed from Gambia, including infants.

These maritime routes often target the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory. While the journey from Senegal is approximately 1,500 kilometers and highly dangerous, UN data indicates that arrivals in the Canary Islands have decreased significantly since 2024. According to UN figures, approximately 4,400 people arrived via irregular crossings by mid-July this year, representing a roughly 60 percent decline compared to the previous year. This decrease is attributed to stricter controls and agreements between the EU, Spain, and North and West African nations.