At least seven individuals lost their lives and a significant number remain unaccounted for following a boat transporting about 200 migrants trying to get to European shores capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in last year and figures suggest more than 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the military confirmed.
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 ten of the survivors are reported to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter European countries, frequently via dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with several North African countries with the goal of curtailing illegal migration.
