At least seven souls lost their lives and a significant number remain unaccounted for in the wake of a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who died have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is one of the routes used by migrants seeking to get to European countries, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African nations with the goal of curtailing undocumented migration.
