No fewer than seven souls have perished and numerous others are lost following a vessel ferrying approximately two hundred people attempting to reach the European continent capsized near the shoreline of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday near the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants seeking entry into European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in last year and estimates over 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military said.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states aimed at limiting illegal migration.
