A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a vessel carrying around 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe overturned near the shoreline of Gambia, reports confirm.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military said.
Officials state a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven people who died have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are described as being in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, often on perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the EU has reached agreements with multiple North African nations aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
