At least seven people have died and hundreds remain missing after a boat carrying around 200 migrants capsized off the coast of The Gambia while attempting to reach Europe, authorities reported Friday. The vessel reportedly overturned around midnight near Jinack village in the North Bank Region and was later found grounded on a sandbank, according to the Gambian Ministry of Defence.
Rescue teams have so far saved 96 people, several of whom were seriously injured and are receiving medical attention. Seven bodies have been recovered, and operations continue as authorities search for the remaining passengers believed to have been on board. The Gambian Navy, aided by other national agencies and local fishing boats, is leading the search and recovery mission, while many of the survivors have been taken to hospitals or naval facilities for urgent treatment.
Reports indicate that the vessel was carrying irregular migrants attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing to Spain’s Canary Islands, a common route for West African migrants seeking better economic opportunities or asylum in Europe. The route has grown increasingly perilous, with humanitarian groups warning of thousands of deaths in recent years among those attempting the crossing.
The Gambia has become a frequent departure point for such migration, and authorities have reiterated that the search-and-rescue effort is ongoing, though the final toll is expected to rise as operations continue. The Gambian government expressed condolences to the families affected and emphasized its commitment to combating irregular migration and human smuggling that contribute to such tragedies.
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