At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for after a boat carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe sank in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy began a rescue mission, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned were found, and ten of the survivors are described as being in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to European countries, typically through perilous trips over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has established pacts with several North African nations with the goal of limiting irregular migration.
