A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and a significant number remain unaccounted for following a boat carrying about two hundred people attempting to reach the European continent overturned in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers seeking entry into Europe.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates more than nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military reported.
Officials state a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven people who died were found, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by migrants seeking to get to the EU, typically through perilous trips over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has forged deals with a number of North African nations aimed at limiting undocumented migration.
