Scores Unaccounted For Following Vessel Transporting 200 Migrants Goes Down in waters off the Gambian coast.
At least seven souls lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a craft carrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent sank near the shoreline of Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and data indicates over nine thousand individuals perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military confirmed.
Officials state several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and ten of the survivors are described as being in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, typically through hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the European Union has established pacts with multiple Maghreb states aimed at reducing irregular migration.
