At least seven people have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a craft carrying approximately two hundred migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals made it to the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and data indicates in excess of nine thousand individuals have lost their lives during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy launched a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing boat that offered help, the military reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants trying to reach Europe, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with several North African countries aimed at limiting illegal migration.
