Dozens Lost Following Boat Carrying Two Hundred Migrants Goes Down near the coast of Gambia.
At least seven people have perished and numerous others are missing following a craft carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores sank off the coast of The Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a search is continuing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Spanish archipelago in 2024 and estimates over nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces began a search-and-rescue operation, deploying a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven victims who perished at sea have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with several North African countries aimed at reducing illegal migration.
