Canoe runs aground in Gandiol, 171 migrants rescued with no deaths
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Senego
In Senegal, 171 people were rescued on 20 October after a canoe ran aground at Pilote Bar, in the commune of Gandiol; the group included 62 women and 12 children. Seven survivors were taken to Saint-Louis regional hospital, and no deaths were reported, Senego says.
The 171 migrants rescued on 20 October at Pilote Bar, near Saint-Louis, include 37 Senegalese, 114 Gambians, one Guinean and 12 children, according to Senego. Seven people, including six Gambians and one Senegalese, were taken to Saint-Louis regional hospital; no deaths were recorded.
The canoe had left The Gambia on 15 October bound for Spain. The passengers are said to have paid between 300,000 and 600,000 CFA francs each. The Saint-Louis Territorial Brigade, the Surveillance and Intervention Squadron and the Northern Naval Base seized the vessel and ten fuel cans, while two people handed over to the gendarmerie are being held as part of the investigation. The suspected smuggler and the captain are still being sought, according to Senego.
The incident comes after the publication on 21 October of an initial report stating that 171 migrants had been rescued in Gandiol. The authorities have since begun identifying the survivors and investigating the organisation of the crossing.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
