The Gambia is in mourning following the tragic loss of at least 50 of its citizens, who drowned when a migrant boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.

The incident, which occurred on December 17, 2024, off the coast of Tunisia, has left the nation grappling with grief and raising urgent questions about the perilous migrant routes taken by thousands of Africans each year in search of a better life.

The ill-fated boat, which departed from the Tunisian port of Sfax, was carrying 56 passengers, including 4 women and 5 children. Of those aboard, 53 were Gambians, 50 men and 3 women, each seeking to escape the hardships of their homeland and reach Europe.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the passengers were left at the mercy of the unforgiving sea, with only a few survivors clinging to life.

Among the survivors were three Gambian women and a young boy. One woman lost her two sons, aged six months and six years, while another mother’s son also perished in the disaster.

The survivors endured a harrowing 16-hour ordeal at sea before being spotted by local fishermen, who alerted authorities.

The Tunisian National Guard finally rescued the group around 6:00 PM the following day. While the bodies of 20 victims have been recovered, 31 others remain missing, presumed dead.

In an interview with Gambiana, Ebrima Drammeh, a German-based Gambian activist, spoke out about the tragedy: “The loss of so many Gambians in this horrific incident underscores the dangerous paths that our people are forced to take.

“It is a  reminder of the desperate need for solutions to the economic challenges that drive so many to risk everything in search of a better future. We must work harder to address the root causes of this crisis.”

In The Gambia, the growing number of citizens attempting this dangerous migration reflects the deep-seated economic struggles that many face.

By Adama Makasuba