A minimum of seven souls have died and a significant number are lost after a boat carrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent capsized off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight near Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach Europe.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and estimates over 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials said.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway utilized by asylum seekers trying to reach Europe, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with several North African nations designed to curtailing irregular migration.
