At least seven people have perished and numerous others are missing following a vessel carrying approximately 200 people trying to get to European shores overturned in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into European nations.
Almost 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in the year 2024 and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defence ministry said.
Officials state several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to the EU, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with a number of North African countries aimed at limiting undocumented migration.
