Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a devastating incident, seven individuals have died, with numerous others unaccounted for after a migrant vessel capsized off Gambia's coast. This calamity unfolded near Jinack village in the North Bank Region just past midnight on Wednesday, as stated by the Gambian Defence Ministry.

The capsized boat has since been discovered stranded on a sandbank. Rescue teams have successfully saved 96 passengers, with search operations actively pursuing those still lost at sea. The ill-fated boat was making its way to Spain’s Canary Islands, a treacherous journey across the Atlantic often pursued by African migrants hoping to enter Europe.

Leading the rescue efforts, the Gambian Navy has dispatched several naval vessels, supported by local fishermen. Although the exact type of boat involved remains unspecified, these vessels are commonly overcrowded wooden canoes not built for the challenges of lengthy ocean travel exceeding 1,500 kilometers (900 miles).

Of those rescued, ten individuals are reported as critically injured and receiving immediate medical treatment. The nationalities of many victims are still under verification, including some who are not from The Gambia.

The Gambia has emerged as a significant departure hub for West African migrants attempting to reach Europe via the perilous Canary Islands route. In light of recent agreements between the European Union and North African nations to curtail illegal migration paths, an increasing number of migrants are risking the dangerous Atlantic crossing.

So far in 2024, close to 47,000 migrants have arrived at the Canary Islands, while humanitarian organizations estimate that over 9,000 lives have been lost during this arduous journey in recent years.

#Global News