At least seven souls have perished and many others are lost in the wake of a vessel carrying about 200 people seeking to enter Europe capsized in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, involving a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway used by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, often on hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has forged deals with several Maghreb states with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
