No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and many others are missing after a boat carrying around 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates more than nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry confirmed.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and ten of the survivors are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states designed to limiting irregular migration.
