In a tragic development following reports of a migrant boat in distress off Jinack Island, the Gambian government has confirmed that the vessel capsized late Tuesday night, resulting in seven confirmed deaths and a large-scale rescue operation that saved 96 lives, with many passengers still unaccounted for.
The Ministry of Defence issued a press release today detailing the incident involving a pirogue allegedly carrying over 200 irregular migrants attempting the perilous journey to Europe. The boat capsized around midnight on December 31, 2025, near Jinack Village in the North Bank Region, after grounding on a sandbank.
The Gambia Navy swiftly responded after receiving a distress alert. The naval patrol vessel GNS JAMBARR, on routine fisheries protection duty, was redirected to the scene. Additional resources, including three high-speed naval boats, a coastal patrol vessel dispatched from Banjul at 1:00 a.m., and assistance from a local fishing canoe, were deployed in a coordinated search, rescue, and recovery effort.
As of the latest update, 96 survivors have been rescued and are receiving medical care: 39 at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) and 57 at the naval base. Ten individuals are in critical condition. Seven bodies have been recovered, and authorities note that some victims are non-Gambians, with efforts underway to verify nationalities.
The National Emergency Response Plan has been activated, intensifying ongoing search operations with full deployment of national resources. The government expressed deep concern, extended sincere condolences to bereaved families, and reaffirmed its commitment to deterring irregular migration.
This incident follows earlier unconfirmed reports from migrant activist Ebrima Drammeh, who initially highlighted four deaths and ongoing rescues. The official toll underscores the persistent dangers of the Atlantic route from Gambia’s coastal areas, a known hub for such departures.
Search and recovery efforts continue amid fears for those still missing. Further updates are anticipated as the situation evolves.
