No fewer than seven people lost their lives and numerous others are missing after a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned near the shoreline of The Gambia, reports confirm.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe.
Almost 47,000 people reached the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Officials state some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven victims who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with several North African nations aimed at curtailing illegal migration.