At least seven souls have died and a significant number are lost following a boat transporting around two hundred people attempting to reach European shores sank in waters near The Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy launched a search operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defence ministry said.
Officials state several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with multiple North African nations with the goal of reducing irregular migration.
