At least seven individuals have died and many others are lost following a craft carrying about 200 people attempting to reach Europe sank off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and figures suggest more than nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy initiated a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defense officials reported.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is one of the routes used by migrants seeking to get to European countries, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of Maghreb states with the goal of curtailing undocumented migration.
