Banjul — At least seven people have been confirmed dead and 96 others rescued after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of The Gambia as it attempted the dangerous Atlantic crossing to Europe, authorities said.
The incident occurred around midnight on December 31, 2025, into January 1, 2026, near Jinack Village in the North Bank Region, according to Gambian security officials.
The vessel, believed to be a large wooden canoe or pirogue, was heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands, one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
The Gambian Navy responded to a distress call and launched a rescue operation, assisted by local fishing boats. Officials said the boat capsized after grounding on a sandbank in rough seas.
“So far, seven bodies have been recovered and 96 survivors rescued,” a security source said, adding that many of the survivors were suffering from hypothermia, dehydration, exhaustion and injuries, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Authorities estimate the boat was carrying more than 200 passengers, mostly young West African migrants, including non-Gambians, raising fears that dozens may still be missing. Search-and-rescue operations were continuing as of January 2–3, 2026.
A deadly route to Europe
The tragedy highlights the persistent dangers of the Atlantic migration route, where overcrowded and unseaworthy boats face strong currents and unpredictable weather. The Gambia has increasingly become a departure point for migrants following tighter controls in neighboring Senegal and Mauritania.
Despite efforts by regional governments and European partners to curb irregular migration, desperate migrants continue to risk the journey in search of economic opportunities and safety.
Echoes of past disasters
The latest incident follows another deadly shipwreck in late August 2025, when a migrant boat that had departed from The Gambia capsized off the coast of Mauritania after about a week at sea.
That tragedy left between 70 and 100 people dead, with only 16 to 17 survivors rescued. Investigators said the boat overturned after passengers shifted their weight upon seeing coastal lights.
According to the EU border agency Frontex, irregular arrivals via the West African Atlantic route fell by about 60 percent in 2025, largely due to enhanced patrols and prevention measures. However, humanitarian groups warn that reduced crossings do not necessarily mean fewer deaths, as migrants take longer and more dangerous routes.
As Gambian authorities continue search efforts and work to identify victims, officials renewed calls for stronger regional cooperation to address the root causes of irregular migration and prevent further loss of life at sea.
