At least seven souls lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a craft carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers attempting to get to European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and estimates in excess of 9,000 migrants perished trying.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defense officials said.
Officials state several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, frequently via perilous trips by sea and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with several North African countries with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
