At least seven souls have died and numerous others are missing following a boat ferrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy began a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven individuals who died have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with several Maghreb states with the goal of curtailing undocumented migration.
