At least seven individuals have died and numerous others are missing after a boat carrying about 200 migrants trying to get to European shores sank near the shoreline of Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals made it to the Canaries in the year 2024 and estimates in excess of 9,000 migrants have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy initiated a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, often on hazardous voyages over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with a number of Maghreb states designed to reducing illegal migration.
