No fewer than seven people lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a boat ferrying around 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent overturned in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canaries in the year 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the military said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven people who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at limiting undocumented migration.
