At least seven individuals lost their lives and many others remain unaccounted for after a vessel transporting around 200 people trying to get to European shores overturned in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy launched a rescue mission, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven individuals who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is one of the routes used by asylum seekers seeking to get to Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple North African nations aimed at curtailing irregular migration.
