At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others are missing in the wake of a vessel ferrying approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned near the shoreline of The Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Almost 47,000 people reached the Canaries in last year and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defence ministry reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who died were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway utilized by migrants trying to reach European countries, frequently via hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with several Maghreb states aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
