At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat carrying approximately two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores overturned in waters near The Gambia, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants attempting to get to the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers trying to reach Europe, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with a number of North African nations with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
