No fewer than seven people have died and a significant number are missing after a craft transporting around two hundred migrants attempting to reach the European continent capsized in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues 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 grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and estimates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers trying to reach the EU, typically through dangerous journeys by sea and land.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with a number of North African countries designed to limiting illegal migration.
