More than 60 Feared Dead After Boat Capsizes Off Cape Verde in Atlantic Ocean
17 August, 2023 | Anamika Singh Parihar
Over 60 people killed, 38 rescued in boat overturn near Cape Verde, IOM reports.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 60 individuals are believed to have died, while 38 have been successfully rescued following a boat overturn near Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Media accounts from Cape Verde indicate that the fishing vessel departed Senegal a month prior. Cape Verde, an island nation situated approximately 620 kilometers (385 miles) off the West African shoreline, was the boat’s destination.
Late on Tuesday, Senegal’s foreign ministry confirmed that 38 individuals, including a citizen from Guinea-Bissau, were successfully rescued from the boat, as reported by Al Jazeera. According to the coast Guard, the combined count of survivors and fatalities stands at 48. The local morgue received a total of seven deceased bodies.
On Monday, a Spanish fishing boat located the vessel approximately 320km (200 miles) away from the island of Sal and promptly informed Cape Verde authorities, as stated by the police.
Cape Verdean Health Minister Filomena Goncalves emphasized the need to extend a compassionate reception to the survivors and accord a dignified burial to the deceased, as reported by Al Jazeera, citing the Inforpress news agency.
A large fishing boat, referred to as a “pirogue,” departed Senegal on July 10 with over 100 refugees and migrants onboard, according to the Spanish migration advocacy group Walking Borders.
Cape Verde is situated on the maritime path to the Spanish Canary Islands, a gateway to the European Union.
Every year, thousands of refugees and migrants escape poverty and conflict, embarking on perilous journeys. Frequently using small boats or motorized canoes provided by smugglers, who demand payment for the trip, as reported by Al Jazeera.
In January, rescue squads in Cape Verde rescued around 90 refugees and migrants found adrift in a canoe; unfortunately, two individuals onboard lost their lives. The group hailed from Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone, according to Al Jazeera.
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