At least seven individuals have died and a significant number remain unaccounted for following a boat transporting approximately 200 people attempting to reach European shores overturned off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, involving several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry reported.
Officials state several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants attempting to enter Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of Maghreb states aimed at curtailing illegal migration.
