No fewer than seven souls have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for after a boat carrying approximately two hundred migrants trying to get to Europe sank in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa attempting to get to Europe.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates more than nine thousand individuals perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants trying to reach Europe, frequently via perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has reached agreements with a number of North African countries aimed at reducing illegal migration.
