Twelve bodies have been recovered following a tragic boat incident off the coast of Jinack Kajata in the North Bank Region, where migrants were reportedly attempting to travel along the Atlantic route.

The Gambia Red Cross Society confirmed that its response team had recovered the bodies, while the number of people still missing remains uncertain.

The incident has left questions over the fate of other passengers, with response efforts continuing along the coast.

Red Cross volunteers are supporting the response by ensuring the dignified management of the recovered bodies and providing mental health and psychosocial support to affected community members.

The identities of the deceased and the total number of people who were aboard the boat have not been confirmed in the information released by the Society.

The incident highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting perilous sea journeys along the Atlantic route, where boat accidents can result in loss of life and leave families and communities waiting for news of missing relatives.

By Adama Makasuba