At least seven people have perished and many others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat carrying around two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores capsized near the shoreline of The 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 afterwards located "beached on a shoal", 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 capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy began a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing boat that offered help, the military said.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven people who died have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are described as being in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through hazardous voyages by sea and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has forged deals with several Maghreb states designed to limiting undocumented migration.
