A minimum of seven individuals lost their lives and many others are missing following a vessel carrying about two hundred migrants trying to get to the European continent overturned in waters near the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants attempting to get to the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in last year and estimates over nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven victims who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway used by migrants attempting to enter European countries, frequently via perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple North African nations with the goal of limiting undocumented migration.
