No fewer than seven people lost their lives and numerous others are lost in the wake of a craft ferrying about two hundred people trying to get to European shores overturned in waters near the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and figures suggest more than nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a rescue mission, involving several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Officials state several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with a number of Maghreb states designed to limiting illegal migration.
