At least seven souls have died and many others are lost following a vessel ferrying about two hundred migrants trying to get to European shores overturned in waters near The Gambia, reports confirm.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly 47,000 individuals made it to the Canaries in the year 2024 and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals have lost their lives during the journey.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the defense officials said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven victims who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is one of the routes taken by migrants trying to reach European countries, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with several Maghreb states aimed at limiting irregular migration.
