No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and many others are lost following a craft ferrying around 200 people seeking to enter European shores capsized off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canaries in 2024 and figures suggest over 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy launched a search operation, using several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is one of the routes utilized by migrants trying to reach European countries, typically through perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple North African countries with the goal of reducing irregular migration.