Security in Senegal intercepts boat, 20 Gambians arrested

At least 30 migrants comprised of Gambian and Senegalese youths believed to be on their way to Europe have been arrested in Senegal, Senegalese local media reported.

Senego newspaper reported on Wednesday that dozens of migrants were arrested by Senegalese police at Soumbédioune beach, Dakar.

The Public Relations Bureau of the Senegalese police said the youths were arrested at around 5am on Wednesday December 11. The suspected migrants numbered 30 were made up 20 Gambians and 10 Senegalese, the police added.

It comes a week after a migrant boat carried 170 passengers sank off the coast of Mauritania. The boat had been wading in the sea for over a week as it tried to find its way to Spain’s Canary Islands.

A staggering 62 Gambians died in the accident including 11 women.