A minimum of seven people have died and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a boat transporting approximately two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores capsized off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were aboard the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and estimates in excess of 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, involving several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defense officials confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven victims who died have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants trying to reach European countries, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at limiting illegal migration.
