Seven bodies were recovered and 96 people rescued after an overcrowded boat carrying migrants capsized overnight off Gambia’s Atlantic coast, the country’s defence ministry said Thursday, underscoring the persistent dangers of the West African route to Europe’s Canary Islands.
The wooden vessel, believed to have been carrying more than 200 migrants, overturned near Jinack village in Gambia’s North Bank Region shortly after midnight as it attempted the perilous crossing to Spain, authorities said.
Ten of the survivors were listed in critical condition and rushed to the hospital for urgent treatment.
Gambia’s navy and coast guard launched a search-and-rescue operation after receiving distress alerts, pulling dozens from the water amid rough seas.
Survivors were treated for hypothermia, dehydration and exhaustion, while search efforts continued for an unknown number of missing passengers.
