No fewer than seven souls have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for after a vessel carrying around 200 people seeking to enter the European continent overturned near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the military said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven victims who perished at sea have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants attempting to enter European countries, frequently via perilous trips by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at curtailing illegal migration.
