No fewer than seven souls have perished and many others are missing in the wake of a craft ferrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to Europe capsized near the shoreline of The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers trying to reach European nations.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and estimates over 9,000 migrants perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy began a search operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the military reported.
Authorities say several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants trying to reach European countries, often on dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with several North African nations designed to limiting irregular migration.
