At least seven individuals have died and numerous others are missing after a boat ferrying approximately 200 people seeking to enter Europe capsized off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people have died trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defense officials confirmed.
Authorities say some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through perilous trips by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has forged deals with several North African nations aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
