No fewer than seven individuals lost their lives and many others remain unaccounted for after a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into Europe.
Almost 47,000 people arrived at the Canaries in last year and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that came to assist, the military reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by migrants seeking to get to European countries, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has forged deals with several North African nations with the goal of reducing undocumented migration.
