A minimum of seven individuals lost their lives and many others are missing after a vessel ferrying around 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates in excess of 9,000 migrants have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven victims who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants attempting to enter European countries, often on perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with a number of North African countries designed to reducing illegal migration.
