Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – A heartbreaking discovery was made on Sunday when a canoe filled with approximately 150 deceased migrants was found by young Senegalese fishermen off the coast of Les Mamelles, about 48 kilometers from Dakar.

The remains of the individuals aboard were in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating that the vessel had been adrift for weeks.

The fishermen immediately alerted authorities, prompting the Senegalese national navy to depart from Port Autonome de Dakar to reach the site of the tragedy.

While the national navy has not yet confirmed the identities of the deceased, initial reports from local media suggest that the canoe matches the description of a backway vessel that was reported missing mid-August after it departed from the shores of Mbour, a city roughly 86 kilometers from the capital.

The horrific discovery has prompted local authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation to identify the victims and determine the circumstances surrounding their tragic deaths. Efforts are underway to trace the origins of the vessel and establish how these migrants met their fate.

This tragic incident underscores the severe risks faced by migrants who embark on perilous journeys across the Atlantic Ocean, often in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, in a desperate attempt to reach Europe. The so-called “backway” route, frequently used by those fleeing poverty and seeking a better future, has become infamous for its deadly toll on human lives.

As the investigation unfolds, families of the missing await news, clinging to hope while grappling with the dread of the unknown.

This latest disaster serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation and effective measures to address the root causes of irregular migration and to provide safer pathways for those seeking refuge and opportunity.