Banjul: At least seven people have died and dozens are missing after a boat carrying about 200 migrants sank off the coast of Gambia, authorities said. The tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of migrant journeys in the region.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Gambian government stated that the vessel reportedly went down near the village of Ginack in the country's North Bank Region. The cause of the sinking remains under investigation as officials work to determine the circumstances that led to the disaster.
Officials confirmed that at least 96 people were rescued, many of whom were suffering from serious injuries. The survivors are receiving medical attention, and efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families.
The Gambian navy launched a search-and-rescue operation after receiving a distress call, deploying several naval vessels to the area. The operation is focused on finding any remaining survivors and recovering the bodies of those who perished in the tragedy.