Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Gambia
A boat carrying more than 200 people capsized near the coast of Gambia.
Seven people died, and many others are missing.
The boat was trying to take migrants to Spain's Canary Islands, which is a common route for people trying to reach Europe.
The Gambian navy is searching for survivors.
Many people have been trying to make this dangerous journey, and sadly, many have died.
The number of people making this trip has gone down recently because countries are trying to stop it.
A migrant boat carrying over 200 passengers capsized off the Gambian coast, resulting in at least seven deaths and dozens missing.
The incident occurred around midnight near a village in the North Bank region, with 96 people rescued, many with serious injuries.
The Gambian navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, locating the capsized vessel grounded on a sandbank.
Several victims are confirmed to be non-Gambian, with authorities working to verify their identities.
The Gambia is a key departure point for migrants aiming to reach Spain's Canary Islands, with over 46,000 migrants arriving in 2024 and more than 10,000 deaths reported.
- Who
- Migrants and asylum seekers, including non-Gambian victims
- What
- A migrant boat capsized off the Gambian coast
- When
- Around midnight on Thursday
- Where
- North Bank region, Gambia
- Why
- The boat was carrying migrants attempting to reach Spain's Canary Islands
- Location
- North Bank region, Gambia
- Time of Incident
- Around midnight on Thursday
- Number of Passengers
- More than 200
- Number of Deaths
- At least 7
- Number of Rescued
- At least 96
- Number of Missing
- Dozens
- Yearly Migrant Arrivals to Canary Islands (2024)
- Over 46,000
- Yearly Migration Deaths (2024)
- More than 10,000
- Irregular Migration Decline (2025)
- 60%