A migrant boat carrying more than 200 people sank off the coast of Gambia, leaving at least seven dead and 96 rescued alive, according to a statement from the Gambian Ministry of Interior on Thursday. The ministry said that ten of the rescued individuals are in critical condition and receiving emergency medical treatment. The Gambian Navy launched a search and rescue operation shortly after midnight on December 31, and efforts are continuing.

The ministry’s statement noted that the vessel was part of a migration attempt along the Atlantic route, which is commonly used by African migrants trying to reach Spain. This route is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. The European Union reported that more than 46,000 irregular migrants arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands in 2024, marking a record high.

The report also recalled a previous incident in August 2025, when a migrant boat from Gambia sank, killing at least 70 people. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the latest tragedy or the nationalities of those on board.