At least 21 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Senegal, according to the country’s Interior Ministry.

The incident occurred near Kebemer, a coastal area located approximately 180 kilometres north of the capital, Dakar.

Authorities disclosed that 21 bodies had been recovered, while one survivor was rescued as of Saturday evening.

Search and rescue operations were still ongoing as officials worked to establish whether additional passengers could be found.

The authorities have not disclosed the total number of people who were aboard the vessel when it sank.

The boat was reportedly carrying individuals attempting to migrate irregularly, although further details about their intended destination have not been released.

The tragedy highlights the continuing dangers associated with irregular migration along West Africa’s Atlantic coastline, where overcrowded and poorly equipped vessels are frequently used by people attempting to reach Europe.

According to migration rights organisation Walking Borders, hundreds of people have lost their lives attempting the Atlantic route to Spain’s Canary Islands this year.

Source credits: Reuters, Senegalese Interior Ministry.