No fewer than seven individuals have died and many others are lost after a craft ferrying about 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent capsized in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers attempting to get to the EU.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, deploying a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the military confirmed.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who died have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants trying to reach Europe, typically through perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with multiple North African countries with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
