At least seven people have perished and many others are lost following a vessel transporting around 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants seeking entry into European nations.
Nearly 47,000 individuals made it to the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have died during the journey.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials said.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by migrants trying to reach the EU, often on perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with several North African countries aimed at limiting illegal migration.
