At least seven individuals have died and numerous others are missing in the wake of a boat transporting about two hundred migrants trying to get to Europe overturned near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canaries in the year 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 people have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, using several naval vessels and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died were found, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants seeking to get to European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of Maghreb states designed to reducing irregular migration.
