No fewer than seven souls have died and many others are missing in the wake of a vessel ferrying approximately 200 people attempting to reach European shores overturned off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and estimates more than 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Officials state several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants trying to reach the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African countries aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
