A minimum of seven people lost their lives and a significant number are missing in the wake of a craft transporting about 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent sank in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers attempting to get to the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants perished in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy began a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials confirmed.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with several North African nations aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
