At least seven souls have died and a significant number remain unaccounted for in the wake of a vessel carrying around 200 migrants seeking to enter Europe capsized in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy began a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defence ministry confirmed.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a common pathway used by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, typically through hazardous voyages by sea and land.
In recent years, the EU has forged deals with several North African nations with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
