No fewer than seven individuals have died and numerous others are lost after a vessel ferrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized off the coast of Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Close to 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates more than nine thousand individuals have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers trying to reach Europe, often on perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at reducing irregular migration.
