A minimum of seven people have died and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a craft carrying around two hundred people attempting to reach European shores overturned in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 migrants have lost their lives during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven victims who died have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are said to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a frequent corridor taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, often on perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has reached agreements with a number of North African countries aimed at reducing illegal migration.
