Gambiaj.com – (Dakar, Senegal) – A Senegalese Navy patrol boat capsized on Thursday morning at the mouth of the Senegal River, leaving three military personnel missing and sparking an intensive search and rescue operation.

Ten other sailors were successfully rescued from the water following the accident, which occurred around 9:00 a.m. while the vessel was conducting a routine liaison mission.

According to a formal statement from the Armed Forces and the Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (DIRPA), the vessel was overcome by high waves and deteriorating weather conditions.

While the wreckage of the patrol boat has since been recovered, the fate of the three missing crew members remains the primary focus of emergency teams.

A coordinated response involving aerial surveillance, maritime dive teams, and ground units patrolling the shoreline is currently underway.

The DIRPA has assured the public that all available state resources are being utilized to locate the missing personnel. Meanwhile, the families of the sailors have been notified and are reportedly receiving government support and counseling during this period of uncertainty.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Senegalese Navy has pledged a full investigation into the incident to prevent future recurrences.

The accident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent hazards faced by naval personnel navigating the volatile intersections of river and sea along the Senegalese coast, particularly during periods of inclement weather.