A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are missing following a craft ferrying approximately two hundred migrants trying to get to Europe overturned near the shoreline of Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers trying to reach European nations.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, often on hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with multiple North African nations designed to reducing irregular migration.
