No fewer than seven individuals have perished and a significant number remain unaccounted for following a boat transporting about 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized off the coast of The Gambia, reports confirm.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is one of the routes used by migrants attempting to enter European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple Maghreb states with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
