At least seven individuals have died and a significant number are missing after a vessel ferrying around 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe capsized off the coast of Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with a number of Maghreb states with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
