At least seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are lost after a vessel transporting around 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent overturned off the coast of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into European nations.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Canary Islands in 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven victims who died have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is one of the routes taken by migrants trying to reach European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African countries designed to reducing irregular migration.
