At least seven individuals lost their lives and many others remain unaccounted for after a craft ferrying around two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent overturned off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants seeking entry into European nations.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and estimates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through perilous trips by sea and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has established pacts with several North African countries aimed at limiting undocumented migration.
