At least seven souls have died and a significant number are lost in the wake of a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Almost 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who died have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is one of the routes used by migrants attempting to enter the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple North African countries designed to curtailing undocumented migration.
