No fewer than seven people have perished and numerous others are lost in the wake of a vessel ferrying approximately two hundred people trying to get to Europe overturned in waters near The Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa attempting to get to European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a rescue mission, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military reported.
Authorities say several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven people who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is one of the routes utilized by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has reached agreements with multiple Maghreb states with the goal of limiting irregular migration.
