Over 600 Migrants Missing After 4 Boats Departed Gambia in March

Written by: Dawda Baldeh

More than six hundred (600) migrants, including Gambians, are reportedly missing in the Atlantic Ocean after four boats carrying around seven hundred people departed The Gambia in March, heading to the Canary Islands in Spain, and disappeared without a trace, migration activists say.

In a statement obtained by The Fatu Network, activists warned of a potential mass casualty at sea, noting that the boats left from Tanji, Kartong, and Gunjur on March 29th.

“As of today, April 9th, the boats have been at sea for more than 13 days and their current location remains unknown,” Drammeh said. “There are no confirmed reports that the vessels have arrived in Spain or been intercepted anywhere in Morocco, Mauritania, or Senegal.”

The uncertainty has deepened anxiety among families still waiting for information about their loved ones. “Families are increasingly worried that those onboard may now be running out of food, water, and fuel, placing hundreds of lives at immediate risk,” the statement added.

Despite ongoing search and rescue efforts, there has been no GPS contact with the boats.

The departure points are widely known as key routes used by migrant boats attempting the Atlantic crossing to Spain. “This area represents a common Atlantic route taken by migrant boats travelling from Senegambia toward the Canary Islands,” Drammeh explained.

With time running out, activists are calling for urgent coordination between Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, and The Gambia to intensify search operations.

Adrian Corish, founder of the African Migration Advisory Center (AMAC), said swift joint action is essential to prevent a disaster.

“We must work closely together to prevent a potential mass casualty event at sea, and time is critical as 600 to 700 migrants are missing at sea,” he said, warning that delays could cost lives. He also urged families searching for missing relatives to contact migrant support networks and rescue organisations immediately.