At least seven people have died and numerous others are lost in the wake of a boat transporting about two hundred migrants trying to get to European shores sank near the shoreline of Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Close to 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates more than nine thousand individuals perished in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who died have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by migrants attempting to enter the EU, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with a number of North African nations designed to reducing illegal migration.
