At least seven souls have perished and a significant number are lost in the wake of a vessel ferrying around two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent sank in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defence ministry said.
Officials state a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven victims who drowned have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants trying to reach Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with a number of North African countries designed to curtailing illegal migration.
