No fewer than seven people have perished and numerous others are missing following a craft ferrying about two hundred people seeking to enter European shores capsized in waters near The Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the sunken boat that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants attempting to get to Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven victims who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, often on dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has established pacts with several North African nations designed to reducing illegal migration.
