A minimum of seven souls have died and many others are lost following a boat carrying approximately two hundred people seeking to enter Europe capsized off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Canaries in the year 2024 and estimates in excess of 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven victims who died have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are said to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is one of the routes used by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with several Maghreb states with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
