At least seven people have perished and a significant number remain unaccounted for following a craft ferrying around two hundred migrants seeking to enter the European continent capsized in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy began a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the military said.
Officials state several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died were found, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is one of the routes used by migrants attempting to enter the EU, often on hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African nations aimed at reducing illegal migration.
