A minimum of seven people lost their lives and numerous others are lost after a boat transporting around 200 people trying to get to Europe sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers trying to reach Europe.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Canaries in the year 2024 and figures suggest in excess of nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military said.
Officials state a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven people who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is one of the routes used by asylum seekers trying to reach European countries, typically through dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with a number of North African countries with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
