At least 30 bodies have been discovered on a boat drifting off the coast of Dakar, Senegal, according to military officials on Monday, as the number of migrants departing from West Africa continues to rise.

The Senegalese navy was alerted to the vessel's presence on Sunday evening and dispatched a patrol boat to the location, approximately 70 kilometers (38 nautical miles) from the capital. Ibrahima Sow, the military spokesperson, stated, “So far, 30 bodies have been counted.”

The advanced decomposition of the bodies poses significant challenges for identification, the military noted, adding that further investigations will shed light on the death toll and the boat's origin.

Earlier this month, another vessel carrying 89 migrants capsized off the Senegalese coast, resulting in at least 37 fatalities, as reported by local authorities.

Many migrants leaving West Africa, particularly from Senegal, are fleeing conflict, poverty, and unemployment, with most aiming for the Canary Islands—a Spanish archipelago that serves as a gateway to mainland Europe. Statistics from Spain’s Interior Ministry reveal that over 22,300 people have arrived on the Canary Islands since the start of the year, marking a 126% increase compared to the same period last year.