At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others are missing in the wake of a boat carrying about two hundred migrants attempting to reach Europe overturned off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa attempting to get to the EU.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canaries in last year and figures suggest over nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy began a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is one of the routes utilized by migrants trying to reach the EU, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple North African nations designed to limiting illegal migration.
