At least seven individuals have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a vessel carrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent sank off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach Europe.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy launched a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military said.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by asylum seekers trying to reach European countries, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has forged deals with several North African nations with the goal of reducing undocumented migration.
