At least seven people have died and many others remain unaccounted for after a boat transporting around two hundred people trying to get to Europe capsized in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Almost 47,000 individuals reached the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy began a rescue mission, using a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry confirmed.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter the EU, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has forged deals with several North African nations designed to limiting irregular migration.
