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At least 12 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Gambia, with an unknown number of passengers still missing, according to the Gambia Red Cross Society.
The vessel reportedly departed from Jinack Kajata, a village on an Atlantic island that has increasingly become a departure point for migrants attempting the dangerous sea journey to Spain’s Canary Islands.
The Gambia Red Cross said rescuers had recovered 12 bodies, but the total number of people missing had yet to be confirmed as search and rescue operations continued.
“The number of missing remains unclear. Further information is expected as rescue operations continue,” the humanitarian organisation said in a statement on Thursday.
The Atlantic migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is considered particularly dangerous because of strong ocean currents, long distances and the use of vessels that are often overcrowded or poorly equipped for the journey.
The latest tragedy comes months after another deadly boat accident off Jinack Kajata in December 2025. More than 40 people were killed in that incident, while about 100 others were reported missing.
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Migration routes have also shifted in recent months following tighter maritime patrols around Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal. The increased enforcement has pushed some migrants to begin their journeys farther south, increasing both the distance travelled and the risks involved.
The Canary Islands remain one of the major entry points into Europe for migrants fleeing poverty, conflict and persecution, alongside Mediterranean routes leading to Italy and Greece.
More than 46,000 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands in 2024, marking a record high. Arrivals have since declined significantly as Spain and partner countries intensify efforts to reduce irregular migration along the Atlantic route.
