No fewer than seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are missing after a vessel ferrying approximately 200 people seeking to enter Europe sank in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to Europe.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Spanish archipelago in last year and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals perished during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defense officials reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, frequently via hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with several North African countries with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
