No fewer than seven people lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a boat ferrying approximately two hundred migrants attempting to reach Europe capsized off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers attempting to get to European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and figures suggest more than 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, using a number of military boats and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway utilized by migrants trying to reach European countries, often on perilous trips over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple North African countries aimed at limiting irregular migration.
