No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat carrying approximately two hundred migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa attempting to get to Europe.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Officials state a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven individuals who drowned have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is a common pathway used by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with several North African nations designed to reducing undocumented migration.
