This was not the scenario planned when they threw themselves into the sea. Leaving on July 10 from Fass Boye, these candidates for immigration did not hope for such a quick return to the fold. Stranded off Cape Verde, they will ultimately be only 38 out of 101 candidates to remain alive. The 37 arrived yesterday while 7 rest for eternity in Cape Verde. Currently, a survivor is in care in Praia. His state of health does not allow him to return to the fold.

Return to the fold for the 37 Senegalese who had seen their canoe fail off Cape Verde. They were 100 Senegalese and a Bissau-Guinean who left Fass Boye on July 10 to find a better life in Europe. Unfortunately, the dream turned into a nightmare. The boat was spotted on August 14 off Cape Verde, with officially 38 survivors. Rescuers recovered 7 bodies. Yesterday, the military plane that walked the tarmac at Ouakam air base was only able to bring back 37 people. One of the survivors remained in Cape Verde and is still receiving treatment there. « Because his state of health did not allow him to make the trip, » said the Minister for Senegalese Abroad. Annette Seck Ndiaye had made the trip to pick up the survivors of this perilous journey. As for the remains, the Minister for Senegalese Abroad affirms that they were buried in Cape Verde. “The decision was taken in consultation with the families,” Annette Seck Ndiaye told reporters.

Need we remind you, the survivors, defeated faces, sad faces, were welcomed by their families overwhelmed by this ordeal. 

Case of the Fass Boye Canoe: Complicated Times in Sal!

Lost in the Atlantic, the Fass Boye canoe was found last Tuesday by a Spanish ship, which rescued it off the island of Sal. Without food and water, only 37 people remained alive. While more than half died during the crossing and were thrown into the sea. They left from Fass Boye on July 10, wanting to reach the Spanish archipelago of the Canaries.

 This canoe was lost from sight for several weeks, while a certain confusion has long reigned over its itinerary. During the last government press conference held on August 3, the Minister in charge of Senegalese Abroad, Dr Annette Seck Ndiaye, argued: “We have heard of Fass Boye, but we have no information about this canoe.” Today, Fass Boye is in mourning. Like Thiaroye sur Mer in 2005 when the first makeshift boats stormed the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. 

Case of the Fass Boye Canoe : 37 Survivors Brought Back to Dakar, the Dead Buried in Sal

A few days ago, another canoe, also part of this fishing wharf, was rescued off Dakhla, in southern Morocco. Its 130 passengers, including a woman, were saved by the Royal Moroccan Navy, which had transported them to Dakhla, a detention centre for Senegalese migrants. In 2022, 404 Senegalese were repatriated from Dakhla, says the delegated Minister to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Senegalese abroad.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH