Gambia Tightens Border Controls After Surge in Europe-Bound Migration
Gambian authorities have stepped up nationwide operations after intercepting hundreds of migrants attempting to depart the country for Europe, amid growing concern over deadly sea journeys along the West African migration route.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that security agencies stopped more than 780 people in coordinated actions carried out across multiple locations.
The interceptions come shortly after a tragic maritime incident in which over 30 migrants lost their lives when an overcrowded boat capsized off the Gambian coast around the New Year.
According to immigration officials, the recent clampdown followed intelligence reports pointing to a renewed spike in irregular migration using The Gambia as a departure point.
“We conducted three operations, which led to the interception of 782 would-be migrants across different locations in the country,” Siman Lowe, spokesman for the Gambia Immigration Department, told AFP.
Lowe explained that the operations were launched on January 3, just days after the fatal accident linked to a migrant boat that reportedly ran into trouble overnight between December 31 and January 1.
In a statement, the Interior Ministry expressed alarm at the evolving trend, noting that increased maritime patrols by neighbouring countries have pushed smugglers and migrants to seek alternative routes further south.
“The Gambia has observed with deep concern, the rapid increase in the number of people attempting to travel to Europe by sea using The Gambia as a launch path,” the ministry said.
It added that the situation necessitated “the activation of special operation teams to decisively respond”.
Officials disclosed that those intercepted included nationals from several West African countries, highlighting the regional nature of the migration challenge. Among them were 233 Senegalese, 197 Gambians, 176 Guineans and 148 Malians.
Migration advocacy groups have also raised alarms over a series of maritime incidents connected to Gambian departure points in late 2025. The boat involved in the New Year tragedy was last reported through a distress call near the North Bank region.
Additionally, concerns persist over other vessels that left the same area in recent months. A boat carrying more than 200 people that departed from Jinack village on December 5 remains missing, according to the Ebrima Migrant Situation Foundation.
The foundation also confirmed that another vessel, which left Jinack on November 17 with over 190 migrants onboard, has been declared sunk after weeks of unsuccessful search efforts.
The latest interceptions underscore the mounting pressure on Gambian authorities as thousands of young West Africans continue to risk dangerous sea crossings in hopes of reaching Europe, particularly via Spain’s Canary Islands route.
