A minimum of seven souls have perished and many others are lost after a craft carrying about two hundred migrants trying to get to European shores overturned off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with several Maghreb states designed to curtailing irregular migration.
