At least seven people have perished and many others are lost in the wake of a craft carrying around two hundred migrants attempting to reach European shores sank near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy launched a search operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven victims who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is one of the routes used by migrants trying to reach the EU, frequently via perilous trips by sea and land.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with several North African countries aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
