11 Gambian migrants picked up in Senegal

The Senegalese media reported that the youth were intercepted on Wednesday in Fatick, Senegal.

They are currently helping the police in their investigation.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad conveys its sympathy and condolence to bereaved families of Gambian migrants who lost their lives en route to Europe through boats from early October 2023 to date.

There has been a surge of Gambians travelling irregularly through the Mediterranean to Europe and consequently sustained deaths as a result of their boats capsizing or being lost at Sea for a number of days beyond the expected time of arrival, causing lack of food and water. 

Death of Gambian migrants have been recorded in Senegal, Mauritania, Morocco and Tenerife in the Canary Islands at different times following rescue operations and interceptions at sea or on shore since early October 2023.

The Government has informed everyone to desist from facilitating or embarking on such perilous journey that is costing the lives of our abled youth. The public is informed that the Senegalese, Mauritanian and Moroccan Coast Guards and Navy are patrolling their waters to intercept irregular migrant boats. 

Currently, 3 different boats have been intercepted and rescued by the Moroccan Royal Navy around Dakhla carrying on board 61, 46 and 26 Gambian migrants respectively. These bring the total number of Gambian migrants being evacuated from Morocco to The Gambia at 133. 

For the past 3 weeks, almost every other day, the Senegalese Border Police have been intercepting Gambian migrant boats. On 12 November 2023, the Senegalese border Police informed and requested The Gambia High Commission in Dakar to facilitate the evacuation of 175 Gambian migrants, whose boats were intercepted and rescued at sea.