Dozens missing as Atlantic migration route claims more lives off Gambia

Dozens of people remain missing after an overcrowded boat carrying more than 200 migrants capsized off the coast of The Gambia , authorities said, as search and rescue operations continue for the third day.

At least 102 people have been rescued and seven bodies recovered following the incident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve near the village of Jinack in the North Bank region of northwest Gambia, President Adama Barrow said in a televised address late Friday.

According to the Gambian Ministry of Defence, the vessel was found grounded on a sandbank, a factor believed to have contributed to the capsize. Officials said the boat, which was attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing towards Europe, was heavily overcrowded and may have become unstable after running aground, causing passengers to fall into the sea.

Many of those on board are feared to have been swept away by strong currents, explaining the high number of people still missing. The exact sequence of events leading to the tragedy remains under investigation.

Emergency services, supported by local fishermen and volunteers, have been searching coastal waters and nearby areas since Wednesday. President Barrow said the national emergency response plan had been activated, with additional resources deployed to intensify rescue efforts and provide medical assistance to survivors. Some of the rescued migrants are undergoing urgent treatment.

Condoling with the families of the victims, Barrow described the incident as a “painful reminder of the dangerous and life-threatening nature of irregular migration” and announced a full investigation.

Thousands of Africans seeking better economic opportunities continue to risk their lives on the Atlantic migration route, one of the world’s deadliest corridors, which runs along the West African coast through Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania towards Spain’s Canary Islands. Overcrowded boats, poor navigation equipment and rough sea conditions frequently result in deadly accidents.

Similar tragedies have occurred in recent years. In August 2025, around 150 migrants were reported dead or missing after a boat departing from Gambia capsized off the coast of Mauritania. In July 2024, another incident claimed more than a dozen lives, with about 150 people declared missing .

President Barrow said the government would strengthen efforts to prevent irregular migration and address its root causes. “The government remains determined to create safer and more dignified opportunities for young people to pursue their aspirations without risking their lives at sea,” he said.