At least seven individuals have perished and numerous others are missing after a boat transporting about two hundred people attempting to reach Europe overturned in waters near The Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight near the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and estimates in excess of 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces began a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants trying to reach European countries, often on perilous trips by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with several Maghreb states designed to limiting irregular migration.
