No fewer than seven people have died and many others are lost in the wake of a boat ferrying about two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores capsized in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach Europe.
Nearly 47,000 individuals made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military reported.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who drowned have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants attempting to enter the EU, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with a number of North African countries with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
