No fewer than seven souls have perished and many others are missing following a craft ferrying approximately 200 people seeking to enter the European continent sank off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died were found, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is one of the routes utilized by migrants seeking to get to European countries, often on hazardous voyages over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple North African nations aimed at curtailing illegal migration.
