An urgent appeal has been made to the Gambia Navy, maritime authorities and rescue services to locate and rescue a migrant boat reportedly stranded at sea for six days after leaving Gunjur.

The appeal was issued after people said to be on board reportedly contacted an individual raising the alarm about their situation.

According to the information provided, the boat departed Gunjur at around 3am on Friday, 14 August 2026, and travelled more than 50 kilometres from the Gambian coastline before its captain reportedly stopped the vessel because of a shortage of fuel.

Ebrima Migration Situation who issued the alert said they had spoken by telephone with more than three people who were either still on the boat or had recently been on board.

They reportedly said the passengers were running short of food and drinking water and were becoming exhausted after spending several days at sea.

The alert claimed that about 20 people returned to shore on Wednesday evening after a smaller boat reportedly arrived to deliver water.

However, according to the account, the captain did not allow everyone on board to return to shore.

The person issuing the appeal said more than 200 people could still be on the vessel, including potentially vulnerable passengers.

The boat reportedly has two engines but is facing a shortage of fuel, food and water.

There was also information that a third engine would be taken to the vessel, although the person raising the alarm said they could not independently confirm whether this had happened.

The exact location of the boat is currently unknown.

However, the person behind the appeal said they have telephone contacts for several people who are or were on board and who could potentially provide information to authorities to help establish the vessel’s location.

The appeal comes after authorities were reportedly alerted about the situation on Wednesday, but the person said they had not received confirmation that the passengers had been rescued.

They are now urging the Gambia Navy, maritime authorities, rescue agencies and other relevant security institutions to treat the report as an emergency and immediately establish the whereabouts of the boat.

“I am deeply concerned that any further delay could result in a serious humanitarian disaster and the loss of lives,” the appeal stated.

The person also stressed that the appeal was not intended to be political, saying the priority was the safety of the people reportedly stranded at sea.

“This is not about politics or blame. More than 200 human lives may be at risk. They need help now,” the appeal said.

By Adama Makasuba