Boat sinking deaths rise to 39 people

The death toll from a boat carrying Europe-bound migrants that capsized off the coast of Gambia on New Year's Eve has risen to 39, two government officials said, as survivors described the vessel as overcrowded and in poor condition.

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Gambia's defence ministry last week put the death toll at seven and said more than 200 people were believed to have been on board.

A total of 112 people had been rescued as of Wednesday, said Sima Lowe, public relations officer for Gambia's Immigration Department, along with a senior defence ministry official who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.