A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are missing after a boat carrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent overturned in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped 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 Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants attempting to get to the EU.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people have died trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, involving a number of military boats and a fishing boat that came to assist, the military said.
Officials state some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is one of the routes utilized by asylum seekers trying to reach the EU, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with multiple Maghreb states designed to limiting illegal migration.
