No fewer than seven people lost their lives and a significant number are missing in the wake of a boat transporting around 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe sank near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night close to Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in the year 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the military said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants trying to reach Europe, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with several North African countries with the goal of limiting undocumented migration.
