At least seven people have died and dozens are missing after a boat carrying approximately 200 migrants capsized off the coast of The Gambia.
The vessel, which was en route to Spain’s Canary Islands, overturned around midnight on Wednesday near Jinack village in the country’s North Bank Region before it was found grounded on a sandbank.
A search and rescue mission involving the Gambian Navy and a local fishing boat has so far rescued 96 people, with ten reported to be in critical condition and receiving medical care.
The incident highlights the dangers of the Atlantic migration route from West Africa, which is considered one of the world’s most hazardous.
While migration along this route saw a decrease in 2025 due to prevention efforts, thousands still attempt the journey.
Authorities confirmed that some of the victims were not Gambian nationals and that recovery operations are still ongoing.
