A minimum of seven individuals have died and a significant number are missing after a vessel ferrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores sank in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
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 en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who drowned have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has reached agreements with several Maghreb states aimed at reducing irregular migration.
