Senegalese marines intercepted a wooden pirogue carrying 112 young Gambian migrants off the coast of Dakar on Tuesday, preventing a potential tragedy on the increasingly dangerous Atlantic route to Europe.

The vessel, a traditional fishing boat lacking an engine, had been adrift for five days when local fishermen spotted it and alerted authorities. Ouakam district Mayor Abdoul Aziz Gueye explained that the fishermen provided a motor to help the boat reach shore, where marines took over.

All aboard were safely brought to Ouakam Beach, where gendarmes counted the migrants and provided initial aid. One migrant described the ordeal to reporters, noting the group set out from Gambia hoping to reach Spain's Canary Islands.

An investigation is underway to trace the boat's origins and determine how it departed without propulsion, amid concerns over human smuggling networks. No injuries were reported, but the incident underscores the risks of the 2,000-kilometer journey, where rough seas and overcrowding often lead to fatalities.

The Atlantic route has seen a surge in attempts, with over 30,000 arrivals in the Canaries this year alone, driven by economic desperation in West Africa.

Senegalese authorities have intensified patrols and international cooperation with Spain and other EU nations to curb irregular migration, including joint rescue operations and repatriation agreements.

Experts point to poverty, unemployment, political unrest, and climate impacts on fishing as root causes pushing youth toward these perilous crossings. Similar incidents persist, with recent reports of deadly shipwrecks off Libya and surges in arrivals to Spain's Balearic Islands.

The rescued migrants are receiving assistance from local authorities and humanitarian groups, with plans for repatriation or asylum processing depending on individual circumstances.