A minimum of seven individuals have died and numerous others are missing following a vessel transporting about 200 migrants trying to get to Europe capsized off the coast of Gambia, reports confirm.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near Jinack in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who died have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through dangerous journeys by sea and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple North African countries aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
