Seven Dead, Dozens Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Gambian Coast
At least seven people died and dozens remained missing after a boat carrying approximately 200 migrants capsized off the coast of The Gambia late Wednesday. The vessel, which was en route to Spain's Canary Islands, overturned near Jinack village in the North Bank Region, according to the Gambian defense ministry.
The shipwrecked vessel was later found "grounded on a sandbank," the ministry said in a statement. As of Thursday, ninety-six people had been rescued, and search operations were ongoing for the remaining passengers. The Gambian Navy and local fishermen were participating in the search and rescue efforts.
The incident highlights the increasing number of African migrants attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing to reach Europe. Driven by socio-economic factors and instability in their home countries, thousands perish annually in these perilous voyages. The collaborative efforts of the Gambian Navy and local fishermen underscore the need to address this humanitarian crisis, according to sources familiar with the situation.
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