At least seven souls have died and a significant number are missing in the wake of a vessel ferrying around 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent capsized in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals perished in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, using a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by migrants seeking to get to Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with a number of North African nations designed to curtailing irregular migration.
