No fewer than seven people have died and numerous others are lost in the wake of a craft carrying around two hundred people trying to get to European shores sank in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals reached the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, involving a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who died were found, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants trying to reach Europe, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the European Union has established pacts with a number of Maghreb states with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
