At least seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are missing after a vessel carrying approximately two hundred migrants trying to get to Europe sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers trying to reach European nations.
Almost 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates over 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, often on perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with a number of North African nations aimed at limiting illegal migration.
