7 Dead, 10 Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks off Gambia Coast

At least seven people have died and dozens remain missing after a boat carrying irregular migrants sank off the coast of Gambia, authorities said.

The Gambian government confirmed that the vessel was carrying more than 200 migrants when it went down near the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region. According to official figures, at least 96 people were rescued, including several who sustained serious injuries and were transferred for medical treatment.

Gambian naval forces have launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying multiple naval vessels to locate missing passengers. Rescue teams continue to comb the area amid concerns that the death toll could rise as efforts proceed.

The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by migrants attempting perilous sea journeys along West Africa’s Atlantic routes. Overcrowded and poorly equipped boats, often operated by smuggling networks, frequently capsize or break apart, particularly when weather and sea conditions deteriorate.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the nationalities of the victims or the intended destination of the vessel. Investigations are under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the sinking and to identify those still unaccounted for.

Migration by sea from West Africa remains one of the world’s deadliest routes, with humanitarian agencies repeatedly warning of the growing risks faced by migrants fleeing poverty, conflict, and instability.