A minimum of seven souls have died and a significant number are missing after a vessel ferrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores sank off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants perished trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the military confirmed.
Officials state a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants trying to reach Europe, often on hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with multiple Maghreb states aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
