A minimum of seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are missing after a vessel transporting about 200 migrants trying to get to Europe overturned off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry confirmed.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned were found, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with several Maghreb states with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
