Gambia migrant boat sinking leaves at least 12 dead

Rescuers have recovered 12 bodies after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Gambia, the Gambia Red Cross Society said.

The Red Cross said the number of missing people remained unclear and that more information was expected as rescue operations continued.

The boat had set sail from Jinack Kajata, a village on an Atlantic island that residents say has become a frequent departure point for migrants trying to reach Spain's Canary Islands.

The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is dangerous because of strong currents and the use of vessels that are often overloaded and in poor condition.

The sinking follows another deadly incident off Jinack Kajata in December 2025 that killed more than 40 people and left around 100 missing.

The supplied item said tighter patrols off Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal have pushed some migrants farther south in attempts to reach Europe, lengthening the journey.