Rescuers have recovered 12 bodies after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of The Gambia, with an unknown number of people still missing, the Gambia Red Cross Society says.
The vessel departed from Jinack Kajata, a coastal village on an Atlantic island that has become a departure point for migrants attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands.
The Atlantic crossing from West Africa is highly dangerous, with strong ocean currents and overcrowded, often poorly equipped boats putting passengers at risk.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Gambia Red Cross Society said the number of missing people remained unclear as rescue operations continued.
The latest tragedy follows another deadly shipwreck off Jinack Kajata in December 2025, when more than 40 people died and around 100 others were reported missing.
Increased maritime patrols off Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal have contributed to migrants seeking routes farther south, extending an already perilous journey towards the Canary Islands.
The Spanish archipelago remains a major entry point into Europe for migrants fleeing poverty, conflict and persecution. Arrivals exceeded 46,000 in 2024, before falling sharply as Spain intensified efforts to curb irregular migration.
