At least seven individuals have died and numerous others are missing in the wake of a craft ferrying about two hundred migrants seeking to enter Europe capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach European nations.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry reported.
Officials state a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who died were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants trying to reach European countries, often on hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with a number of North African countries with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
