A minimum of seven souls have died and numerous others are missing in the wake of a boat carrying around two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent sank in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into European nations.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces began a search-and-rescue operation, using a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the military said.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are said to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants seeking to get to the EU, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African countries aimed at reducing irregular migration.
