A minimum of seven people lost their lives and many others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat carrying about 200 people attempting to reach the European continent sank off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa attempting to get to Europe.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates over nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven victims who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter European countries, typically through hazardous voyages over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African countries with the goal of limiting undocumented migration.
