Authorities across Spain and West Africa are intensifying efforts to find a notorious human smuggler suspected of organizing one of the deadliest crossings across the Atlantic Ocean this year, which resulted in multiple migrants’ deaths attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands from Senegal. No official statement regarding his identity has been released publicly yet.
International investigators and humanitarian agencies reported the incident occurred early April when a wooden fishing boat carrying more than 130 people capsized after days spent being marooned at sea. Surviving passengers who were eventually rescued by commercial vessels and Spanish coastguard reported horrendous conditions on board including lack of food, water, navigation tools etc.
Many of the passengers were from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea fleeing poverty and political instability in hopes of making their way to Europe. Tragically at least 50 are suspected dead; of the remaining survivors brought to safety on Canary Islands they testified of an illegal sea crossing ring based in Mbour; local reports point to this leader being in his 30s who was known locally for organizing these crossings illegally.
Interpol, together with Spain’s Civil Guard and Senegalese police, have launched a manhunt for a suspect believed to be making thousands of euros off each passenger he met on buses near Dakar and may now be hiding somewhere nearby.
“This is more than illegal migration. This is criminal exploitation where vulnerable people are lured with false promises before being sent off to die at sea,” according to Captain Jose Herrera of the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency.
The Atlantic route between West Africa and Canary Islands has become one of the deadliest migrant paths worldwide, but crossings continue at record rates due to stricter Mediterranean patrols driving migrants towards riskier alternatives.
Human rights organizations are demanding greater international coordination to dismantle smuggling networks and establish safer legal pathways for migration. “Smugglers will continue their lucrative trade as long as migration is treated as a security issue instead of as human one,” according to Medecins Sans Frontieres spokesperson Carla Mejia.
Meanwhile, survivors are being provided medical and psychological care in temporary shelters on Gran Canaria. Spanish authorities have pledged to continue their investigation and bring those responsible to justice.