At least seven individuals have died and numerous others are missing in the wake of a craft carrying around 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores capsized near the shoreline of Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing boat that offered help, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died were found, and ten of the survivors are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by migrants attempting to enter Europe, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with several North African countries designed to limiting irregular migration.
