At least 39 people have been confirmed dead following a migrant boat accident in the Jinack area of The Gambia’s North Bank Region.
The provisional death toll was released on Wednesday by the Gambian government after rescue operations were carried out in the area.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said 112 people were rescued, including 54 Gambians, 42 Senegalese, nine Guineans from Conakry, three Malians, two Ivorians, one Burkinabè, and one Sierra Leonean.
The rescued individuals have been placed under the care of relevant institutions for medical evaluation, psychosocial support, and administrative processing, in line with national laws and international humanitarian standards.
The ministry also dismissed reports by a local media outlet alleging that the Gambian navy faced fuel shortages that hindered rescue efforts, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.
Authorities have urged both the media and the public to rely solely on official statements as investigations into the tragedy continue.
