No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are lost following a boat ferrying about two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores sank in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the military said.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with several Maghreb states designed to limiting undocumented migration.
