At least seven individuals have perished and many others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a craft ferrying around 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned near the shoreline of The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight near Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the sunken boat that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants perished in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is one of the routes utilized by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has forged deals with multiple North African nations aimed at limiting illegal migration.
