A minimum of seven individuals have died and many others are lost in the wake of a vessel transporting approximately 200 people seeking to enter Europe overturned in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defence ministry reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, often on perilous trips by sea and land.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with multiple North African nations aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
