At least seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for after a craft transporting about 200 people seeking to enter the European continent sank in waters near The Gambia, reports confirm.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for other passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in 2024 and estimates more than 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a search operation, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway used by asylum seekers seeking to get to European countries, frequently via perilous trips by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has established pacts with a number of North African countries designed to limiting irregular migration.
