No fewer than seven souls have perished and a significant number are missing following a vessel transporting about two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent sank off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night close to Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and estimates in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven victims who perished at sea have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is one of the routes used by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, typically through perilous trips by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with several North African countries with the goal of limiting undocumented migration.
