At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others are missing after a boat transporting about two hundred people attempting to reach the European continent sank in waters near The Gambia, reports confirm.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday close to Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Almost 47,000 individuals reached the Canary Islands in last year and estimates more than 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy began a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing vessel 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 remains of the seven victims who perished at sea were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter the EU, typically through hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with several North African countries with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
