At least seven people have died and many others remain missing after a boat carrying about 200 migrants capsized off the coast of The Gambia while attempting to reach Europe.

The vessel overturned near Jinack village in the North Bank Region and was later found grounded on a sandbank, with 96 people rescued so far and search-and-rescue operations continuing as the boat was en route to Spain’s Canary Islands.

The Gambian Navy, assisted by fishing vessels, is leading the rescue effort, while the identities of the victims, some of whom are believed to be non-Gambian nationals, are still being verified. Ten of those rescued are in critical condition, highlighting the dangers of the increasingly used Atlantic route, which has seen tens of thousands reach the Canary Islands in recent years and thousands more lose their lives.