At least seven souls lost their lives and many others remain unaccounted for following a craft transporting around two hundred people seeking to enter the European continent capsized off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers seeking entry into European nations.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest more than nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, the navy initiated a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials said.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is one of the routes used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of North African countries with the goal of reducing undocumented migration.
