At least seven individuals have perished and many others are missing after a boat transporting about 200 people trying to get to the European continent overturned in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers seeking entry into European nations.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants perished trying.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is one of the routes utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has reached agreements with several North African nations with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
