At least seven individuals have died and a significant number remain unaccounted for in the wake of a vessel transporting approximately 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent overturned in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into Europe.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of nine thousand individuals perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven victims who drowned have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is one of the routes taken by migrants attempting to enter Europe, often on perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at limiting illegal migration.
