A minimum of seven people lost their lives and a significant number are lost after a craft transporting about 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent sank off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers trying to reach Europe, typically through perilous trips by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with a number of Maghreb states designed to reducing irregular migration.
