At least seven souls have perished and numerous others are missing following a vessel ferrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to Europe capsized off the coast of Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in 2024 and data indicates more than nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a rescue mission, involving several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven people who died have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with several Maghreb states aimed at limiting undocumented migration.
