No fewer than seven souls have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a vessel carrying about 200 people attempting to reach European shores sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach European nations.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in the year 2024 and estimates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, involving a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials confirmed.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a common pathway utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, typically through dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at limiting undocumented migration.
