A minimum of seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are lost in the wake of a boat carrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe overturned in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and data indicates over nine thousand individuals have lost their lives trying.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing boat that came to assist, the military confirmed.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is one of the routes taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states aimed at limiting irregular migration.
