A minimum of seven souls have died and many others are lost following a vessel carrying approximately two hundred migrants attempting to reach European shores capsized in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Almost 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in last year and data indicates over 9,000 people have died trying.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials said.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who drowned have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a common pathway utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
Recently, the EU has reached agreements with several North African nations with the goal of curtailing undocumented migration.
