Boat carrying dozens of migrants bound for Spain returns to Gambia after taking on water

A vessel transporting numerous migrants aiming to reach Spain returned to shore after encountering water leakage off the Gambia coast. The boat had departed from Gambia several days prior, and no casualties have been reported.

According to the passenger Ebrima Sarr, he paid more than 50,000 Gambian Dalasi (approximately $600) for a position on the vessel. He noted, "I met with one of the agents who told me that he has a boat which is going to Spain, and I paid him 50,000 Gambian Dalasi."

The route from the northernmost point of Gambia to Spain’s Canary Islands spans approximately 1,600 kilometers. This journey is notably perilous when undertaken in a basic wooden boat. Passenger Sulayman Jawara commented on the boat's inadequacies, stating, "They only gave us one engine. How can one engine take us to Spain? And one captain. We didn't get anywhere.”

This occurrence follows a tragic incident on New Year’s Eve, where at least 31 individuals drowned after an overloaded boat capsized off the Gambian coast. That vessel was carrying over 200 undocumented migrants destined for Spain.

Based on reporting by Africanews.