At least seven individuals have perished and many others are missing in the wake of a craft ferrying about 200 migrants seeking to enter Europe sank in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers attempting to get to European nations.
Close to 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the military reported.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is one of the routes used by asylum seekers trying to reach European countries, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African countries designed to curtailing irregular migration.
