At least seven individuals have died and many others are missing after a boat carrying about two hundred people seeking to enter Europe capsized in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy initiated a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials said.
Officials state a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven people who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers trying to reach Europe, often on dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African countries designed to limiting irregular migration.
