No fewer than seven people lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a vessel carrying around 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent capsized in waters near the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces began a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers seeking to get to European countries, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with several Maghreb states aimed at curtailing irregular migration.
