At least seven souls have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a vessel carrying around two hundred migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants attempting to get to the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and figures suggest more than nine thousand individuals perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the military reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is one of the routes utilized by migrants trying to reach the EU, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of North African countries aimed at curtailing illegal migration.
