At least seven people lost their lives and many others are lost in the wake of a boat transporting around 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent overturned near the shoreline of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Canary Islands in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces began a search operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing boat that came to assist, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers trying to reach European countries, often on hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with a number of North African countries aimed at limiting illegal migration.
