At least seven souls have died and many others remain unaccounted for after a craft carrying approximately two hundred people attempting to reach the European continent capsized in waters near the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa trying to reach European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest more than 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who died have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants attempting to enter European countries, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with several North African nations aimed at limiting illegal migration.
