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37 migrants rescued from stranded Cape Verde boat return home

The survivors, mainly from the fishing village of Fass Boye, landed on Monday evening. Some were taken out of the plane on stretchers, too weak to stand after their ordeal.

They were among 101 passengers that left Senegal via boat on July 10 – one of many to attempt the treacherous crossing from the coast of West Africa to the Canary Islands, typically used by African migrants trying to reach Spain.

Authorities organized their repatriation from the Cape Verde island of Sal, where a Senegalese doctor who helped translate between survivors and authorities explained the boat ran out of fuel. It had drifted at sea until a Spanish fishing vessel found them on Aug. 16.

“Some said it lasted eight days, others 12. Their food ran out very fast,” the doctor, Medoune Ndiaye, told reporters in Sal before boarding.

Senegal’s foreign affairs minister, Anette Seck, said 38 people were rescued out of the 101, one of whom was not yet in a condition to travel. Only seven bodies have been recovered so far, she added.

Violence broke out in Fass Boye after news spread that the boat had been found as bereaved friends and relatives mourned their loved ones.

“It is God’s will, we can do nothing about it,” said Abdou Karim Sarr, who lost his son on the boat, as he stood on the tarmac.

Thousands of migrants brave the hundreds of miles of ocean separating Africa from Europe each year in a desperate search for a better livelihood and work opportunities. Summer is the busiest period for crossings.

At least 559 people died attempting to reach the Canary Islands in 2022, while 126 people died or went missing on the same route in the first six months of this year with 15 shipwrecks recorded, according to the International Organization for Migration.

 

Source: edition.cnn.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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