No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and many others are missing after a vessel ferrying about two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent sank off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers seeking entry into European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy launched a search operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Officials state a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven victims who drowned have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple North African nations with the goal of limiting irregular migration.
