At least seven individuals lost their lives and many others are missing after a vessel carrying around two hundred people trying to get to the European continent capsized off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers attempting to get to Europe.
Close to 47,000 people made it to the Canaries in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants perished in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Officials state some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants attempting to enter European countries, frequently via perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple North African nations aimed at limiting irregular migration.
