A minimum of seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are lost after a craft carrying approximately two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent sank in waters near the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach European nations.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates over nine thousand individuals have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defence ministry said.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by asylum seekers seeking to get to European countries, typically through perilous trips by sea and land.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with a number of North African countries aimed at reducing irregular migration.
