The death toll from the migrant boat sinking off Gambia has risen to 31... Details of the tragedy
In a tragic update, Gambian authorities announced that the death toll from the sinking of a boat carrying irregular migrants off the country's coast has risen to 31. These new figures underscore the grave dangers faced by migrants on their perilous journeys across the Atlantic Ocean, as the ill-fated vessel was carrying approximately 200 people hoping to reach European shores.
In a statement released today, the Gambian Immigration Department confirmed that the boat had departed from the coastal area of Ginak late at night, bound for the Spanish Canary Islands. Initial investigations indicate that the sinking was caused by the boat striking an underwater sandbar, resulting in its capsizing and sinking in difficult conditions. Rescue teams have so far recovered 102 migrants, 23 of whom were urgently transported to hospitals for medical treatment. The search continues for the remaining missing persons in a race against time.
This incident is yet another tragedy in the ongoing saga of the "Atlantic route," one of the world's most dangerous migration routes. Linking the coast of West Africa to Spain's Canary Islands, this route sees thousands of migrants attempting the crossing each year in flimsy wooden fishing boats (known locally as "pirouj") ill-equipped for open ocean voyages and often overcrowded, significantly reducing their chances of survival when faced with rough seas.
This incident reflects the harsh economic and social realities that drive young people in The Gambia and other West African countries to risk their lives. Many suffer from unemployment and a lack of economic prospects, making irregular migration, or what is locally known as the "back route," a desperate option in search of better opportunities in Europe, despite repeated warnings from international organizations and local governments about the dangers of these journeys.
Internationally, these incidents are increasing pressure on EU countries, particularly Spain, to strengthen cooperation with West African countries of origin and transit to combat human trafficking networks and improve surveillance and rescue operations. Gambian authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine all the circumstances of the incident and prosecute those responsible for organizing this deadly journey, at a time when calls are growing for the need to find fundamental solutions that address the root causes of migration, rather than relying solely on security measures.
