At least seven people have died and numerous others are missing following a boat carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa attempting to get to the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals made it to the Canaries in 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives trying.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
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 perished at sea have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants trying to reach the EU, frequently via perilous trips by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has reached agreements with multiple North African nations with the goal of reducing irregular migration.
