A minimum of seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a vessel ferrying about two hundred migrants trying to get to European shores capsized off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and estimates over nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants trying to reach Europe, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has forged deals with a number of North African nations aimed at curtailing undocumented migration.
