No fewer than seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are missing following a vessel transporting around 200 people trying to get to the European continent sank off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a search is continuing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa attempting to get to Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of nine thousand individuals perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the military said.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway utilized by asylum seekers trying to reach the EU, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple North African nations aimed at curtailing irregular migration.
