A minimum of seven souls have perished and many others are lost after a craft ferrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers attempting to get to European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 migrants have lost their lives during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, often on hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with several Maghreb states designed to reducing illegal migration.
