No fewer than seven individuals have perished and a significant number are missing in the wake of a boat transporting around 200 people trying to get to Europe overturned in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board 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 migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals reached the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and estimates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven people who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor taken by asylum seekers trying to reach European countries, typically through dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with a number of North African nations with the goal of limiting irregular migration.
