Dozens of people are feared missing after a boat carrying around 200 migrants capsized off the coast of The Gambia, leaving at least seven people dead, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred around midnight on Wednesday near Jinack village in the North Bank Region. Officials say the vessel later drifted and became stuck on a sandbank following the capsizing.
Rescue teams have so far saved 96 people, while search and recovery efforts continue for others who were on board the overcrowded boat, which was heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands. Several naval vessels, supported by a fishing boat, were deployed as part of an emergency search-and-rescue operation launched by the Gambian Navy.
Authorities confirmed that seven bodies have been recovered, while at least 10 survivors are in critical condition and receiving urgent medical attention. Some of the victims are believed to be non-Gambian nationals, and identification efforts are still ongoing.
Although officials have not confirmed the exact type of vessel involved, boats used for such journeys are often large wooden canoes not designed to withstand long-distance travel across the Atlantic Ocean. These vessels are typically overcrowded and poorly equipped, making the journey extremely dangerous.
The Atlantic route has become increasingly popular among African migrants attempting to reach Europe, particularly as migration controls tighten along North African pathways. Many migrants now depart from West African coastal countries in hopes of reaching the Canary Islands before moving onward to mainland Europe.
In 2024 alone, nearly 47,000 migrants reportedly arrived in the Canary Islands. Human rights groups estimate that thousands more have died attempting the perilous crossing, highlighting the growing humanitarian risks associated with irregular migration.
The Gambia has emerged as a key departure point for migrants in recent years, as shifting regional and international migration policies continue to push people toward longer and more dangerous routes in search of safety and economic opportunity.