A minimum of seven people have died and many others are missing after a vessel ferrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military said.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, frequently via hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with multiple North African countries designed to limiting irregular migration.
