At least seven people have perished and numerous others are missing in the wake of a craft ferrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 migrants perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven victims who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, typically through perilous trips by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with a number of Maghreb states with the goal of limiting undocumented migration.
