At least seven people lost their lives and a significant number are lost following a vessel carrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent capsized in waters near The Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in the year 2024 and data indicates more than nine thousand individuals have died during the journey.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy launched a search operation, using several naval vessels and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants seeking to get to the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has reached agreements with several North African nations with the goal of reducing undocumented migration.
