GAMBIA NAVY INTERCEPTS DISTRESSED SUSPECTED MIGRANT BOAT AT BUNYADU
The Gambia Navy on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, intercepted a suspected migrant boat in distress off the coast of Bunyadu at approximately 12:10pm. Acting swiftly to safeguard lives at sea, personnel of the Navy conducted a rescue operation and safely transported all the occupants to the Naval Command in Banjul. The boat was carrying 60 suspected irregular migrants at the time of the interception.
Preliminary screening indicates that the rescued persons comprise 55 Gambians, 3 Senegalese, 1 Guinean, and 1 Nigerian (41 men, 10 women, and 9 minors).
Amongst them was a heavily pregnant lady, believed to be due for delivery, who was immediately referred to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention. The remaining rescued persons are safe and are being processed in accordance with national laws and established humanitarian procedures.
The Gambia Navy remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives at sea, safeguarding the country’s maritime domain, and working closely with national and international partners to address irregular migration and other maritime security challenges.
Source : GAF
