# Migrant Boat Sinkings Result in Dozens of Deaths off Senegal and Crete

*News · World Desk · Published 2026-11-09T16:37:13Z*

Canonical: https://amk.news/article/migrant-boat-sinkings-result-in-dozens-of-deaths-off-senegal-and-crete

> At least 52 migrants have died in separate maritime incidents off the coasts of Senegal and Greece this week. Search and rescue operations continue as authorities manage the aftermath of the deadly crossings.

## Key points

- At least 52 migrants died following two separate maritime tragedies that occurred off the coasts of Senegal and Greece this week.
- A vessel attempting to reach the Spanish Canary Islands sank off the coast of Kebemer in Senegal, causing multiple fatalities.
- Authorities near the Greek island of Crete recovered the bodies of at least 13 migrants following multiple rescue operations off the southern coast.
- The Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed that 18 survivors identified as Sudanese nationals were rescued by a passing cargo ship near Crete.

## How many migrants have died in these recent maritime disasters?

At least 52 people are confirmed dead following two separate migrant boat tragedies off the coasts of Senegal and Greece. In West Africa, a vessel attempting to reach the Spanish Canary Islands sank off the coast of Kebemer, Senegal, resulting in a death toll reported between 21 and 39 individuals by various news agencies. Simultaneously, near the Greek island of Crete, authorities recovered the bodies of at least 13 migrants, with conflicting reports from different media outlets placing the death toll between 12 and 21 victims after multiple rescue operations occurred off the southern coast.

> The Atlantic crossing from West Africa to the Canary Islands remains one of the world's most perilous maritime routes for those seeking a better life, with thousands having perished in recent years.

## What is the current status of rescue operations in Senegal and Greece?

In Senegal, local human rights organizations have intensified pressure on the government, calling for urgent intervention and policy changes following the sinking off Kebemer. The route toward the Canary Islands has become increasingly fraught, as migrants often board unsafe vessels to escape regional instability. Meanwhile, in Greek waters, the Hellenic Coast Guard has been involved in several operations south of Crete to address the influx of migrant vessels arriving from Libya. Authorities confirmed that 18 survivors—all identified as Sudanese nationals—were rescued by a passing cargo ship, while over 100 other individuals were processed across various recent interventions in the region.

_Hellenic Coast Guard PLS-060 (Image: Wikimedia Commons)_

## Why are these migration routes considered so dangerous?

The crossing from West Africa to the Spanish Canary Islands and the voyage from Libya to the Greek islands are both characterized by extreme hazards, including overcrowding, the use of unseaworthy wooden or rubber boats, and unpredictable weather conditions. Reports from various outlets highlight that thousands of people have lost their lives in recent years while attempting these journeys. As human rights groups monitor the situation, the persistent volume of migrants fleeing conflict and economic hardship continues to overwhelm coastal authorities, who face ongoing challenges in conducting search and rescue missions across vast stretches of open water.

_Hellenic Coast Guard (Image: Wikimedia Commons)_

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