At least seven people have died and a significant number are lost in the wake of a vessel transporting around 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores overturned in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants perished trying.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces began a search-and-rescue operation, using several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter the EU, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at reducing irregular migration.
