At least seven souls have died and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a craft ferrying around two hundred people attempting to reach European shores overturned off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest more than nine thousand individuals perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, involving a number of military boats and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants attempting to enter Europe, typically through hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African nations aimed at reducing irregular migration.
