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A pirogue that capsized after the explosion of the engine led grief to an entire district of Saint-Louis. On board perhaps 200 migrants destined for Spain. Currently, residents and the Senegalese press are talking about twenty deaths, and President Macky Sall is causing “the loss of more than ten young people”. In a statement posted on social networks on Sunday night, the head of state presented his “heartfelt condolences to the grieving families”.
as reported from Dakar, Thea Ollivier
The images of the thick black smoke coming from a thin canoe shocked and indignant the inhabitants of Saint-Louis. On board migrants from the Pikine district, located by the sea, more than 80 km from Mbour.
Families and friends are desperately looking for news of their loved ones who have disappeared, like Papis Lam, waiting for a sign of life from his three brothers who are in this canoe.
The Senegalese army actually claims to have rescued “51 survivors”. Others were reportedly picked up by fishermen. But it is still impossible to define the exact number of survivors. The French navy has continued the search in the area, “but has not found a lifeless body” at the moment.
In Saint-Louis, residents of the district are talking about at least twenty deaths, according to testimonies from several survivors.
This type of craft often takes about 200 passengers on board. Here were the majority of young people from a working class neighborhood, unemployed and who wanted to reach Spain as some friends managed to do last month.
► Also read: The Canary Islands, a new “prison” for migrants from Europe
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