Numerous People Missing Following Craft Holding 200 Migrants Capsizes near the coast of the Gambian coast.
At least seven souls lost their lives and many others are missing following a boat carrying around two hundred migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa attempting to get to Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in the year 2024 and data indicates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that came to assist, the military said.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is one of the routes used by migrants trying to reach European countries, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states with the goal of curtailing illegal migration.
