At least 39 people have died after a boat carrying migrants towards Europe sank off the coast of Senegal. The small wooden vessel capsized between the capital, Dakar, and the northern city of Saint-Louis as it headed for Spain's Canary Islands.
Senegal's interior ministry said one person was rescued, but the number still missing has not been established. Authorities said 24 of the 39 victims have been identified and returned to their families, while 11 await identification. Four bodies recovered on Monday morning were badly decomposed and were buried after a collective funeral prayer organised by the fire service.
Rescuers are searching a 25km stretch of coastline, but difficult access and strong currents are pushing bodies further south. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye offered condolences to the families, urged young Senegalese not to risk their lives on the crossings and pledged to step up efforts to dismantle the networks organising them.
The Atlantic route is among the deadliest migration routes in the world. A Spanish migrant rights group recorded 635 deaths on the route to the Canary Islands between January and May this year. Senegalese authorities intercepted another boat carrying 142 people bound for Spain on Friday.