At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a vessel carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe capsized off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa attempting to get to the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and estimates over 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the defense officials confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven victims who drowned were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants attempting to enter Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with several North African countries designed to curtailing undocumented migration.
