At least seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are lost following a boat carrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores overturned near the shoreline of Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far 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 has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Canaries in last year and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces began a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing boat that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven victims who died have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are described as being in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is one of the routes utilized by asylum seekers trying to reach the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with several Maghreb states designed to curtailing irregular migration.
