A minimum of seven individuals have died and a significant number are missing in the wake of a craft carrying around 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent sank in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy launched a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, typically through hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has forged deals with several Maghreb states designed to limiting illegal migration.
