"Dozens are missing after a boat carrying more than 200 migrants on their way to Europe capsized off the coast of Gambia, the West African nation's leader said late Friday, setting off a frantic search and rescue operation. At least 102 survivors have been rescued and seven bodies recovered from the boat that capsized on New Year's Eve in northwest Gambia's North Bank region, Gambian President Adama Barrow said in a state broadcast."
"Thousands of Africans desperate for better opportunities in Europe risk their lives traveling on boats along the Atlantic coast, one of the world's deadliest migrant routes that connects the West African coast across Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania. Many migrants seeking to reach Spain via the Canary Islands never make it due to high risks of boats capsizing. In August 2025, around 150 people were either dead or missing after their boat that came from Gambia capsized off the coast of Mauritania."
"The national emergency response plan has been activated and the government has deployed adequate resources to intensify efforts and provide assistance to the survivors, Barrow said. Some of the 102 survivors were undergoing urgent medical care, the Gambian leader said. As he condoled with families, Barrow vowed a full investigation and called the accident a painful reminder of the dangerous and life-threatening nature of irregular migration."
A boat carrying more than 200 migrants capsized off northwest Gambia's North Bank region on New Year's Eve, leaving dozens missing. At least 102 survivors have been rescued and seven bodies recovered, with some survivors receiving urgent medical care. Emergency services, local fishermen and volunteers conducted search and rescue operations near the village of Jinack. The vessel was found grounded on a sandbank and the national emergency response plan was activated, with resources deployed to assist survivors. Past deadly capsizings on the Atlantic route underscore the risks of irregular migration; authorities pledged a full investigation and measures to prevent such journeys.
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