A minimum of seven individuals have perished and a significant number are lost following a boat carrying approximately two hundred people trying to get to the European continent overturned in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defence ministry reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is one of the routes utilized by migrants trying to reach European countries, frequently via hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African nations designed to curtailing irregular migration.
