A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are missing in the wake of a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores sank in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy began a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defence ministry confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with several Maghreb states aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
