At least seven souls have perished and many others are lost following a boat transporting approximately two hundred migrants attempting to reach Europe overturned in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Almost 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and estimates more than 9,000 people perished trying.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military said.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven individuals who drowned have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants trying to reach Europe, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with several North African countries with the goal of curtailing undocumented migration.
