At least seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are missing in the wake of a boat ferrying around two hundred migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized in waters near The Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defense officials said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven victims who drowned have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is one of the routes utilized by migrants trying to reach Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African countries with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
