At least seven souls have died and a significant number are missing in the wake of a vessel ferrying around 200 people attempting to reach European shores sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants seeking to get to European countries, often on hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of North African nations with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
