At least seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are lost after a boat transporting around 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers trying to reach the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest more than 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military reported.
Officials state several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned have been retrieved, 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 taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, frequently via perilous trips by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
