At least seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a boat transporting around two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals reached the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates over nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants trying to reach European countries, typically through dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has established pacts with multiple North African countries aimed at reducing irregular migration.
