Seven Dead as Overloaded Migrant Boat Capsizes off Gambian Coast

By Iyojo Ameh

At least seven people have been confirmed dead after an overcrowded boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Jinack Village in The Gambia’s North Bank Region, authorities have said.

The incident occurred around midnight on December 31, 2025, when a wooden vessel carrying more than 200 migrants overturned while attempting the perilous Atlantic crossing to Spain’s Canary Islands, a route commonly known as the “backway.

Search and rescue operations, led by the Gambian Navy with support from local volunteers and fishermen, are ongoing. As of January 4, officials said at least 102 people have been rescued, although early reports had placed the number of survivors between 96 and 102.

Approximately 10 survivors are reported to be in critical condition and are currently receiving urgent medical treatment at nearby health facilities. Authorities said dozens of passengers remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise.

In response to the tragedy, President Adama Barrow activated the National Emergency Response Plan and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“This heartbreaking event is a painful reminder of the grave dangers associated with irregular migration,” a government official said, adding that efforts would continue until all missing persons are accounted for.

The incident shows the growing risks along the West African Atlantic migration route, which recorded surging departures and arrivals in 2024 and a sharp increase in fatalities in 2025, according to regional migration data.

Despite repeated warnings by governments and international agencies, thousands of migrants continue to risk the journey each year in search of better economic opportunities in Europe.