At least seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a craft carrying around two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent sank in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and data indicates in excess of 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, using a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven victims who died have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is one of the routes taken by migrants attempting to enter the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has established pacts with multiple North African nations with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
