At least seven individuals have perished and many others remain unaccounted for following a craft ferrying about 200 migrants trying to get to European shores sank in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defense officials said.
Officials state a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven people who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is one of the routes utilized by migrants trying to reach Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with several Maghreb states aimed at reducing irregular migration.
