No fewer than seven souls have died and many others are lost following a boat carrying approximately two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores sank in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants seeking entry into European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates over nine thousand individuals have lost their lives trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defence ministry said.
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 victims who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants attempting to enter the EU, often on perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with several Maghreb states aimed at curtailing illegal migration.
