At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a vessel carrying about two hundred migrants seeking to enter Europe sank in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and data indicates over nine thousand individuals perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, involving several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven individuals who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is one of the routes taken by migrants trying to reach Europe, often on perilous trips over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states designed to curtailing undocumented migration.
