At least seven people have died and scores remain missing after an overcrowded boat carrying roughly 200 migrants capsized off the coast of The Gambia.
The vessel overturned around midnight Wednesday near Jinack village in the North Bank Region. The Gambian Defence Ministry reported that the boat was later found "grounded on a sandbank." As of Friday, rescue teams have saved 96 passengers, but a massive search-and-rescue operation continues for those still unaccounted for.
The boat was reportedly headed for Spain’s Canary Islands, a journey of more than 900 miles (1,500 km) across the open Atlantic. Migrants typically use large wooden canoes, known as cayucos, which are not designed for deep-sea travel and are frequently overloaded.
The Atlantic route has become a primary corridor for African migrants seeking entry into Europe. However, it is also one of the deadliest. 2024 Statistics: Nearly 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands. Estimated Fatalities: The NGO Caminando Fronteras estimates that more than 9,000 people died or went missing on this route in 2024 alone.
The Gambian Navy is leading the current search, supported by several naval vessels and local fishing boats. Authorities noted that many of the victims are believed to be non-Gambian nationals, though their identities are still being verified.
Among the survivors, at least 10 people are in critical condition.
Increased maritime patrols near Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco have inadvertently pushed migration points further south. This shift has forced migrants into longer, more dangerous voyages starting from The Gambia and Guinea-Conakry, significantly increasing the risk of shipwrecks.
