At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others are missing in the wake of a craft transporting about 200 people seeking to enter Europe sank in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers attempting to get to Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals made it to the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants perished 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 offered help, the defense officials said.
Officials state several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers seeking to get to European countries, often on hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with several North African nations aimed at limiting undocumented migration.
