At least seven people have died and many others are missing after a boat carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe capsized off the coast of The Gambia, according to authorities.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight near Jinack village in the North Bank Region and was later found 'grounded on a sandbank', as stated by the country's defence ministry.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far, with ongoing search efforts for the remaining passengers of the shipwrecked vessel that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
This perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become a more frequent route for African migrants seeking to reach Europe.
In 2024 alone, nearly 47,000 individuals successfully reached the Canary Islands, while the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras estimates that over 9,000 migrants have perished in similar situations.
In response to Wednesday's tragedy, The Gambian Navy launched a search-and-rescue mission, deploying several naval ships and a fishing vessel.
Authorities also revealed that some victims are not Gambian nationals, and their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven deceased individuals have been recovered, while ten of the rescued are in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
The Gambia is among the transit points used by migrants seeking to reach Europe, often undertaking perilous voyages by sea and land.
The European Union has implemented various agreements with several North African countries in an attempt to curb irregular migration in recent years.
