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, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday at midnight near Jinack village in the North Bank Region and was later found grounded on a sandbank, according to the country's defence ministry statement.
Ninety-six individuals have been rescued so far, and a search is continuing for other passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach Europe. Nearly 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands in 2024, with over 9,000 migrants estimated to have died attempting the treacherous crossing.
Following the accident, the Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels along with assistance from a fishing boat. It remains unclear what type of vessel capsized, but it is typically a large wooden canoe not designed for journeys exceeding 1,500 km (900 miles) across the Atlantic, often overcrowded.
The identities of several victims remain unverified, as some are believed not to be Gambian nationals. The bodies of seven individuals have been recovered, with ten of those rescued reported to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical attention.
The Gambia has increasingly become a launchpad for West African migrants and asylum seekers attempting to reach Spain's Canary Islands and mainland Europe. While the European Union has struck agreements with various North African nations aimed at curtailing irregular migration, many migrants are opting for the longer, perilous Atlantic route.
