No fewer than seven souls have died and a significant number are missing after a craft carrying about 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent overturned near the shoreline of The Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa attempting to get to the EU.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 people have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy launched a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, frequently via perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states aimed at curtailing illegal migration.
