At least seven people have died and numerous others are missing in the wake of a boat transporting about 200 people seeking to enter European shores capsized off the coast of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, using multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Officials state some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is one of the routes taken by migrants attempting to enter the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has reached agreements with a number of North African nations with the goal of limiting irregular migration.
