SAINT-LOUIS, Senegal
Saint-Louis, a historic city located 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Dakar, serves as a hub for Senegal's fishing industry with its 40-kilometer (almost 25-mile) coastline. Once the capital of French West Africa, the city is now grappling with a rise in illegal migration.
As a major point for sea migration to Europe, local youth are driven to seek alternatives due to factors such as industrial fishing, energy companies, and climate change.
Migrants undertake a perilous 1,300 kilometer (over 800 mile) journey to the Canary Islands in makeshift boats, often lasting four to five days, with many vessels capsizing en route.
1st migrant boat reached 30 years ago
The Canary Islands, first reached illegally by two young fishermen in August 1994, has been a key focus in combating illegal migration for over three decades.
Data from Spain's Interior Ministry shows that approximately 230,000 people have illegally reached the islands over the past 30 years.
According to a December 2024 report by Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras, at least 10,457 people died attempting to reach Spain's shores illegally in 2024.
The report described 2024 as the "deadliest" year in Spain's modern migration history, with an average of 30 people dying at sea daily in attempts to reach the country.
Senegalese residents of Saint-Louis who migrated to Spain but later returned shared their experiences with Anadolu.
Crossing to Spain costs $500-$700 per person
Mamadou Fall, president of the Returnee Migrants Association in Saint-Louis, works to raise awareness and discourage youth from attempting dangerous crossings to Spain.
Fall shared his own story, describing how he migrated illegally to the Canary Islands in 2006 but was imprisoned after being accused of serving as the boat's captain.
Though he denied steering the vessel, Fall was sentenced to four years in prison on Tenerife, the largest Canary Island. He returned to Senegal after serving his sentence.
For nearly a decade, Fall has used his organization to highlight the dangers of illegal migration.
He called for coordinated action from Senegal, Europe, and Africa, urging the Senegalese government to invest in job creation through industrialization projects.
"Instead of stopping those risking their lives on boats, we need to target the human traffickers making thousands of dollars from this. To reach the Canary Islands, you pay between 500 and 700 dollars per person, with some boats carrying 150-200 people," Fall said.
Highlighting how Europe is not the "paradise" many imagine, he added:
"Some migrants, even when they have work here, get caught up in the dream of Europe and board the boats. Those who reach the Canary Islands often live in terrible conditions but never share the truth to their families."
'Even if they offered me millions, I would never try to cross to Spain by boat again'
Abdurahmane Seck, 45, who migrated to Spain in 2006 and returned to Senegal in 2011, recalled working various jobs during his five years abroad.
Seck worked in street vending and garbage collection but returned home after being denied residency.
"Even if they offered me millions today, I would never try to cross to Spain by boat again. It’s not worth the risk. Even if you reach Spain safely, many challenges await you. There’s no work there anymore either," Seck said.
He emphasized that job opportunities exist in Senegal for those willing to work.
"Human traffickers don’t care about your life; their only concern is making money. Once they get your payment, whether you reach land or not is of no concern to them. You are just a tool for them to make money," he explained.
Seck advised Senegalese citizens to stay home or pursue legal routes if they wish to travel to Europe.
*Writing by Mevlut Ozkan in Istanbul
