At least seven people have perished and many others are missing after a boat transporting about two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent sank near the shoreline of The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers attempting to get to Europe.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants attempting to enter the EU, often on perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at curtailing irregular migration.
