At least seven people have died and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a vessel carrying about 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent capsized off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates more than nine thousand individuals perished trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a rescue mission, deploying a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the military reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who drowned have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has reached agreements with several Maghreb states aimed at reducing illegal migration.
