At least seven individuals lost their lives and a significant number are missing following a vessel transporting around two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores sank near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates in excess of nine thousand individuals have died during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy began a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers trying to reach European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with multiple North African countries with the goal of limiting irregular migration.