At least seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are missing after a craft ferrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who drowned were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is one of the routes used by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple North African countries designed to reducing irregular migration.
