At least seven people have perished and a significant number remain unaccounted for after a boat ferrying around 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent overturned off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa attempting to get to the EU.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates more than nine thousand individuals perished during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, involving a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry confirmed.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway utilized by asylum seekers seeking to get to European countries, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with several North African countries aimed at limiting illegal migration.
