At least seven souls lost their lives and many others are missing after a vessel ferrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent overturned near the shoreline of The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Canaries in the year 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 people have died during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants seeking to get to Europe, often on perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has forged deals with several North African countries aimed at curtailing irregular migration.
