At least seven individuals have died and a significant number are lost after a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants trying to get to Europe capsized off the coast of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest over nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy initiated a rescue mission, involving several naval vessels and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defence ministry confirmed.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven individuals who died have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers trying to reach Europe, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with multiple North African countries aimed at reducing illegal migration.
