No fewer than seven individuals have perished and many others are missing in the wake of a boat transporting about two hundred people attempting to reach Europe sank in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and estimates over 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, involving a number of military boats and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven people who drowned were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants trying to reach Europe, often on hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has forged deals with several Maghreb states aimed at reducing illegal migration.
