No fewer than seven souls have perished and numerous others are missing after a vessel carrying around two hundred people seeking to enter the European continent capsized in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Authorities say some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven victims who died have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is one of the routes utilized by asylum seekers trying to reach the EU, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has established pacts with a number of North African nations with the goal of limiting irregular migration.
