At least seven souls have died and many others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat transporting about two hundred migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and figures suggest more than 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, deploying a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defense officials said.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven victims who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers seeking to get to European countries, typically through hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with several North African countries aimed at reducing illegal migration.
