At least seven people have perished and a significant number are missing following a boat carrying around 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores overturned in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers attempting to get to Europe.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals have died trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy initiated a rescue mission, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants trying to reach European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with several Maghreb states designed to reducing irregular migration.
