At least seven people lost their lives and a significant number are missing after a craft transporting around 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent sank off the coast of Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and estimates over 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces began a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with a number of North African countries aimed at limiting irregular migration.
