12 Migrants Found Dead After Boat Sinks off Gambia’s Coast

12 Migrants Found Dead After Boat Sinks off Gambia’s Coast
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At least 12 bodies have been recovered after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Gambia, while an unknown number of people remain missing, the Gambia Red Cross said Thursday.

The vessel departed from the island village of Jinack Kajata, which residents say has increasingly become a departure point for migrants attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands. Rescue operations are continuing, and authorities expect further information on the number of missing people.

The Atlantic crossing from West Africa is particularly dangerous because of strong currents and the frequent use of overcrowded, unseaworthy boats. The latest tragedy follows another shipwreck off Jinack Kajata in December 2025 that killed more than 40 people and left around 100 missing.

Stricter migration controls off Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal have also pushed some migrants to seek routes farther south, making the journey to Europe longer and more hazardous.

The Canary Islands remain a major entry point for migrants fleeing poverty, conflict and persecution. Arrivals reached more than 46,000 in 2024, before falling sharply amid Spain’s efforts to curb irregular migration.