No fewer than seven individuals have perished and a significant number remain unaccounted for in the wake of a craft ferrying around 200 migrants seeking to enter Europe sank in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military said.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers trying to reach Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with a number of Maghreb states aimed at reducing irregular migration.
