A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and many others are missing in the wake of a vessel transporting approximately two hundred migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, often on hazardous voyages by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of North African nations designed to reducing irregular migration.
