No fewer than seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat transporting around 200 people trying to get to European shores sank near the shoreline of Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach Europe.
Almost 47,000 individuals made it to the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven victims who drowned have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by migrants attempting to enter Europe, typically through perilous trips by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with several North African nations aimed at curtailing undocumented migration.
