No fewer than seven people have died and numerous others are missing following a craft ferrying approximately 200 people attempting to reach European shores overturned near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates in excess of nine thousand individuals perished trying.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military confirmed.
Officials state 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 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers trying to reach European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with several North African countries with the goal of limiting undocumented migration.
