No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are lost following a vessel carrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to European shores sank near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest more than 9,000 people have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven victims who drowned have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants trying to reach European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states aimed at curtailing irregular migration.
